NATIVE AFFAIRS IN WAIMATE DISTRICT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1584, 18 March 1879, Page 4

NATIVE AFFAIRS IN WAIMATE DISTRICT.

(“ Wanganui Chronicle.”) As a rule, the practical results, beneficial or otherwise, flowing from Native meetings , are infinitesimally small; hut it is not at all improbable that an exception may have to be made in respect of the forthcoming meeting at Parihaka on the 17th of this month. Far more than most people are inclined to think, is the peace of the colony, and the progress and settlement of this district, dependent upon the issues of the aforesaid meeting. We do not mean that the deliberative issues involved are those of peace and war; we mean, rather, that without any previously declared intention of proceeding to acts or open hostility, it will nob bo in the least degree surprising if red-hot fanaticism, acting upon avowedly hostile feeling towards the whites, should result in the commission of offences which the participators therein would hardly have dared to seriously think of in their calmer moments. Government officers who have travelled through and through the districts, and who are necessarily conversant with the state of Native feeling, give it as their opinion that, while undoubtedly the mass of the Natives are strongly adverse to Furopean occupation of the plait .8, yet that aversion can only bo described as a statelet feeling—it docs not amount to an intention on the nart of any section of the Maori people, or indeed of individuals, to forcibly resist such occupation. The fact is, that the wily old prophet To Whiti has deluded thorn into the belief that not only the Wairnato Plains, but also the whole of the Patea country will, at no distant date, revert back to them, by the intervention of some supernatural agency. Strange as it may seem, the hulk of the natives have implicit confidence in his rhapsodies, and are willing instruments in his hands, ready to do or not to do, just as he bids them, in order that by perfect faith and ready obedience they may assist in, or at any rate may not throw ar y obstacles in the way of, the accomplishment of these grand results which Te Whiti has assured them will ere long eventuate in their favor. It is patent to all who know anything of the state of Native affairs in this district that the issues of peace and war are entirely in the hands of Te Whiti. This is about as unsatisfactory a state of things as could well be imagined. It would ho almost more satisfactory to have to deal with a warlike tribe, bent on war, than with one man, whoso feelings of vanity, foolhardiness, or caprice, might at any moment result in the effusion ot blood. To Whiti is a mystery to the Maori doctors. What does he mean ? What object is it that, under all his by-play, he keeps steadily in view ? We are of opinion that he has no very definite object him, other than the retention and extension of his Siwer and personal influence with his people, ut he is excitable, imaginative, and patriotic, and when under the influence of strong impulses, and with his blood stirred by the enthusiasm of large meetings of his fellows, imbued with sentiments similar to his own, he becomes truly a dangerous character. It would he impossible for anybody to predict what he might or might not do at such times and under such circumstances. Herein, then, is the danger to he apprehended at the ap preaching me-ting. The questions to he discussed are considered by the Native people to bo of the utmost importance. But whatever they may thiuk, they will be certain to take their cue from the prophet; and it is impossible to predict what he may say or advise, as he will be entirely at the mercy of whatever mad fancy may cross his brain at the time. In view, then, of possible dangerous eventualities, it is to be hoped that the Government will take care to be fully prepared for any emergency that may arise.