The Premier at Parihaka.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 269, 17 May 1895, Page 2

The Premier at Parihaka.

[Per Press Association.! New Plymouth, May 16. The Premier, accompanied by Mrs Seddon and others, visited Farihaka to-day, and were cordially received by Te Whiti, but the later proceedings took an unpleasant turn. The Her. T. F. Hammond, who with the Patea Maoris, deprecated Mr Seddon's visit to Farihaka, put in an appearance, but the natives were disinclined to admit him. The Premier refused to talk until Mr Hammond was admitted and Te Whiti gave way. Then a difficulty arose ro interpreter, the Maolis Objecting to Mr Gray, who had acted in a similar capacity when Te j Whiti was arrested. This objection * was also waived after argument, and then Mr Seddon and the prophet fell foul of each other. The latter objected to the Premier's puerile remarks, saying that a man with gray hairs should talk as a man, not as a boy, as he urged that the Government was dilatory in dea'ing with matters effecting tho natives, the Premier replying that the wcxld was not made in a dav. Te Whiti retorted that if the Maoris waited for Governmental seven-day period, they would all be dead before the seventh day cane to hand. At this juncture another deadlock occurred, the Natives again objecting to the interpreter. A Maori was appointed in his stead, but did not give satisfaction and Mr Gray was re. instated. The proceedings were warm throughout, Te Whiti taking off his coat at one particularly hot portion of his remarks and throwing it on tho ground. Luncheon brought about a better state of feeling, and after that there were hakas and other amusements. The Premier received a deputation at Opunake to-night, and delivers a political address at Waitara tomorrow, y