The Marino Scandal.

Manawatu Herald, 27 April 1899, Page 2

The Marino Scandal.

The above scandal has been a nine day's wonder to those who wished to think well of our Ministers, but the upshot of the affair tends to lower the estimation these Ministers have previously been held in. As yet not one half the truth of the whole affair has been made public and doubtless until Parliament meets the whole of the ins and outs will remain unknown. One thing is clear that the Premier, with probably the best intention, was interested in the man Jones, and did what he could to forward his interests. It would be interesting, as tending to throw more light upon a dark matter to know how Jones secured the allpowerful interest of the Premier. Was it because he was a West Coaster ? Is he a West Coaster ? We do not pretend to know, but the Premier is known to be a staunch friend of persons hailing from the West Coast of the other island. There is a rumour about that Jones is a connection of a local politician on the West Coast, and that it was by influence used in that quarter which woke the Premier up to take steps to interest himself in this man. We regret, as much as the Premier must now, that so much thought was wasted upon one who was ready to receive a certificate to which he was in no way entitled. In the evidence reported in the Wellington papers it was shown that Von Schoen, the nautical coach, was not called as a witness. This was Jones' instructor, and surely he was an important witness in his favour, had Jones possessed the knowledge he asserted he had. It may also have struck some persons how this case came to be made public, and in what manner Mr Hutcheson, M.H.R., was able to refer to it in the House. He certainly secured information which was known to himself and only two or three others. It may perhaps come to light that the instructor, having been surprised at the unexpected success of a very unpromising pupil in Jones, saw his way to putting others through the examination in a similar way, and being met by opposition threatened an exposure, and carried out his threats. We do not say this was the case, but we know how such things are worked by men who discover a flaw in any institution, and thus facts leak out which had previously been unthonght of.