THE NATIVE ASPECT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1896, 22 March 1880, Page 3

THE NATIVE ASPECT.

[Bt Tbueghaph.J

[PEOM OTJB OWN COEEKSPONDBNT.J WELLINGTON, March 20. Very great uncertainty prevails in wellinformed circles as to what will be the outcome of tho Native crisis, owing to the varying interpretations placed npon Te Whiti’s latest deliverance. Considerable stress has been laid on the report that Te Whiti has resigned his authority in favor of Tohu, which is looked upon as indicative of war, especially when taken in conjunction with To Whiti’s declaration that the two roads across the Waimate Plains would never meet. The beat Maori authorities are at variance as to the interpretation to be placed on the last declaration, Mr Carrington and Mr Parris, both of whose opinions are entitled to very great weight, think that Te Whiti only meant that it would bo opposed by his supernatural influence. On the other hand the interpreter to the armed constabulary, Mr Thompson, takes a more gloomy view, and believes that physical resistance is intended. It seems hardly credible, however, that the Maoris should attempt the latter course when the Government occupy such an irresistibly strong military position as they do at the present time. Assuming that the declaration referred to is an absolute threat of physical resistance, it is suggested that it is probably merely a piece of Maori bounce, resorted to at tho last moment by a chief claiming supernatural powers, who finds himself cornered, as it were, and rendered desperate by the thought that the weakness of his pretensions and his utter powerlessnees must soon be exposed. Nothing, of course, can bo said definitely either one way or the other, while everything is so uncertain, but the Government appear to have every confidence thit the affair will be peaceably settled. In any case the result will probably be known in a few days. At the present rate of progress the working party will cross over the Waiwerenua, a small stream bounding the country which Te Whiti regards as being peculiarly under his mans, on or about Friday next. When they proceed to carry the road across that boundary wo shall probably know what the intentions of Te Whiti and those associated with him really are. The opinion of those best competent to judge is that the prophet will, at the most, send a few women to attempt to interrupt the work, but that no armed resistance will be offered. In all probability, however, ho will confine himself to another declaration that everything is working out exactly as he prophesied it would.