THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 274, 24 August 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1872.

The political trial of the Yogelites is still proceeding at Wellington, and a mass of evidence is being brought to bear against them, which they will find it hard to answer. It is true the evidence is not all one way, but the balauce is in favour of the prosecution. Mr Swanson is reported to have made a speech implying that the issue rested with Mr McLean, the Native Minister, a very able man, no doubt in that department: but if his resigna-

tion and successor were the only difficulty, that could be easily got Oyer. We think we could point out a' gentleman, now on the Thariies, who has as much native influence as Mr McLean, and whoso services in native matters the Government have never been able to do without, and who is at this moment engaged in conducting land negotiations which others who have been tried have been unable to effect. Our readers, or most of them, will know to whom wo allude, and were he to join the new Stafford Ministry (supposing it to come into office), either in the Upper or Lower House, there i« strong ground for believing that he would prove quite as great a tower of strength to the Stafford party as Mr McLean has been to the Vogelites. Therefore, so far as the native question is concerned there need bo no difficulty.. Mr Fox has distinctly stated that, if Ministers are outvoted on this occasion, they will all resign ; but, whether they do or not, the appointment of another Native Minister need not stand in the way, for there is one at all events, and probably more, able and willing to fill the post. Considerable interest is naturally centred in the proceedings now being taken upon Mr Stafford’s motion. We have already expressed our opinion that the probabilities are strongly in favour of its being carried. Who are to come into office with Mr Stafford, presuming that he does come in, does not seem so clear. It is, of course, possible that the Ministry may keep in office, but if they do they must be what Mr Stafford called them, “a miserable set of wretches” (speaking, of course, politically, though, by the way, Mr Stafford’s speech was not very Parliamentary on the occasion in that particular instance, although as a whole liis speech was as temperate as it was logical and sound). After the “ slating ” they have had, the Fox-cum-Vogel Ministry, if there is a particle of that high feeling and honesty amonget them which is attributed to them by their admirers, will resign, even should they escape that verdict of censure by a large majority which is expected to be passed upon them. Mr Swanson seems to put the case somewhat in this form : “ You have been all very naughty boys except Master McLean, and, for his sake, if you’ll say you’re very sorry and will never do so any more, we’ll let you off this time.” if the Yogelites accept forgiveness on these terms, they must truly be the miserable mendicants for place and pay which they are considered by a very large section of the community. Whatever may be the issue of the trial, few can doubt that a most damaging case has been made out against the Ministry, and should they obtain a verdict of acquittal, a good many will be inclined to say, in the words of an English judge to a jury who had returned‘ a verdict of not guilty against a prisoner most clearly convicted on the evidence : Well, gentlemen, the verdict is yours, not mine : prisoner, you are discharged, but I would recommend you n»t to place yourself in the same position again.”