1884 Stout–Vogel Ministry

At the 1884 general election, Sir Julius Vogel returned to New Zealand politics with a manifesto promising more public works spending than the previous government had provided, while also cutting taxes.[2] It was unclear, however, which of the several factions would be able to command a majority, so it was only when the new House met in August that Vogel and the liberal Robert Stout were able to put together a Ministry.In disclaiming the Premiership for himself, Vogel suggested that it would be too difficult to lead in the House as well as put together a Budget on short notice.[4] Vogel and Stout were politically very different, leading to suspicions that they had only combined forces in order to save the speculative Waimea Plains Railway Company, with which they were both closely involved.[6] Despite winning the motion 52–33, Thomson failed to attract supporters and instead advised the Governor to call Sir George Grey.