Sir Julius Vogel

Born 1835, London, England

Died 1899, England, aged 64

Premier from 8 April 1873 to 6 July 1875 and 15 February 1876 to 1 September 1876.

Vogel was born in London on 24 February 1835 and was educated at University College and the studied chemistry and metallurgy at the Royal School of Mines.

He emigrated to Victoria, Australia in 1852 and entered politics in 1861 when he unsuccessfully stood for Avoca. He then moved to Otago in 1861 and became the founding editor of the "Otago Daily Times". He was also editor of the "Sun" newspaper Dunedin 1868-69, then moved to Auckland where he bought the "Southern Cross" in 1870.

In 1863 he stood for and lost the election for MP for Dunedin. However he was appointed to the Provincial Council in 1863 and was head of the provincial government from 1868-69.

Vogel was elected MP for Dunedin Suburbs in late 1863 and the MP for Goldfields in the next Parliament. From 1865 to 1869 Vogel was effectively leader of the opposition until becoming Treasurer in 1869. As Colonial Treasurer Vogel expounded his scheme of massive public works and immigration proposing borrowing ten million pounds to construct roads, railways and telegraphs. He also set up state life insurance in 1869 and the Public Trust Office in 1872.

Vogel traveled overseas in late 1870 and returned in August 1871 by which time he had become MP for Auckland City East. Fox retired as Premier in 1872 and Vogel was asked to form a Government. However he installed George Waterhouse not himself as Premier. Waterhouse soon founds himself at odds with Vogel and after a short period with Fox as Premier until Vogel returned from another overseas trip, Vogel become Premier on 8 April 1873.

In 1873 almost 32,000 immigrants arrived in New Zealand followed by 18,000 the following year – as part of Vogel’s ambitious plans.

Once again Vogel traveled overseas for more than a year and his delays in returning lead to Daniel Pollen becoming Premier even though Vogel continued in cabinet. Vogel was made KCMG in 1876 and returned having just been elected MP for Wanganui. Five days after returning he resumed the Premiership on 15 February 1876 but resigned in September following widespread criticism of his travelling.

Vogel was appointed Agent-General in London in 1876 and remained so until 1880. He returned to New Zealand for visits in 1882 and 1883 and was elected MP for Christchurch North in 1884. He became leader of the largest party in Parliament with 33 supporters. This lead to him becoming Treasurer under Stout and again an influential voice in Government. The Treasury was bare however and Vogel was forced to impose higher taxation which led to the Government losing office in 1887. In 1888 he returned to London and resigned as an MP in 1889.

He published a novel, Anno Domini 2000, in 1889 and died on 12 March 1899.