THE NATIVES AND THE MINISTRY.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1006, 20 September 1872, Page 2

THE NATIVES AND THE MINISTRY.

(' Lyttelton Times'.) An Auckland correspondent, who is in a position to obtain the best information on such subjects, and on whose judgment we have every reason to rely, has sent us a telegram to the following effect: "The Kingite Natives are discussing the possible defeat of the Ministry, and the difference it would make in their position. Tawhiao—the King—has advised that emissaries be sent north and south to confer with the Eriendlies if the Government are defeated. The news came to Auckland by a young chief named Eaponi Maniapoto, of the Upper "Waikato, who proceeds to Hokianga on some mission not yet ascertained." Our correspondent adds that Mr M'Lean's refusal to desert his colleagues is greatly approved. The ' Thames Advertiser,' it seems, does not think that the retirement of Mr M'Lean would lead to difficulties but probably to the opening up of the Ohinemuri district, where he is said to be unpopular, we presume among the Natives. This remark about Ohinemuri tends to confirm a report current in Wellington, to the effect that if Mr Stafford's resolution is carried, the new Native Minister would be Mr James Mackay, about whom the public have heard a good deal from time to time. Mr Mackey is avowedly the persoual enemy and rival of Mr M'Lean, and it is generally believed that he has beeu the cause, directly or indirectly, of a good deal of misunder-

anding between the latter and the atives. His influence with tho Laoris is purely local, being confined ) the Oiiinemuri district, where he i said to have contracted peculiarly itimate relations with one or more ribes. His elevation to a post which e has long aspired to fill might, as he ' Advertiser says, lead to the pening up of the Ohinemuri district, ut it would inevitably create tribal salousies of a dangerous character, nd in our opinion load to another var. The capacity for small intrigue loes Dot imply, indeed it is not coin>atible with the capacity for governng, and one great difference between VI r M'Lean and Mr Mackay is, that -he latter has chiefly distinguished limself in a way which implies narrow news and circumscribed sympathies. Ibove all, Mr M'Lean is respected ind trusted by tho whole of the Natives—Kingites as well as 'Friendies—and Mr Mackey has not, so far is we can ascertain, gained either their respect or their confidence.