THE PARIHAKA MEETING

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1893, 18 March 1880, Page 3

THE PARIHAKA MEETING

[By Telesbaph.] WELLINGTON, Maroh 17. The half-yearly meeting was held at Parihaka to-day. The number of Maoris present was estimated at 2000, and about sixty Europeans. Great preparations had been made in the way of food. About 50 pigs and 100 sheep had been slaughtered, and 200 large baskets of bread, 300 kits of melons, and 30 boilers of tea were provided. After the food had been distributed, Te Whiti spoke. His words were not very definite, but throughout his speech there was a tone of peace. He referred to the presence of the armed constabulary on the plains as proof that the Europeans desired war, and to make the Natives fight for the land. As the land belonged to the Natives they had no occasion to fight. There were two things he wished to state —First, that floods have subsided and will never again come on the earth; and secondly, that the Natives were not to step outside of what he had apportioned or measured out. Parihaka was sacred, and a sure refuge for all Natives. Tohu also spoke, and said that the Europeans desired war. They had brought their guns and bayonets and flashed them in the eyes of the Natives. They were also making roads with their shovels, all of which meant war. The meeting then stopped for further refreshment.