THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2153, 19 January 1881, Page 3

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

LBr Telkgbaph.] [fhoit the own cobbbbpokdent of the “PBHBS.”] WELLINGTON, January 18. The Government have received very full telegraphic reports of yesterday’s Parihaka meeting, and of Te Whiti’s and Tohu’s speeches. Divested of surplusage, it, the telegram, is to the following effect: —The meeting yesterday was attended by about 1000 or 1200 Natives, women and children included, Te Whiti’s speech consisted of much the same material as usual. He declared that his word was unchanged, and that all he had said before still held good. He claimed that his words were already in course of fulfilment, and used some figurative language about mothers rejoicing over their newly-born children, which apparently had reference to the release (expressed as “ resurrection ” or “now birth”) of the Native prisoners, several of whom were present. He still spoke with soreness about the land being surveyed and sold, but added that the land always had been a source of trouble, and always would be. He reiterated his declaration that there should be no more fighting, but asserted that the Europeans, notwithstanding their superiority in numbers and strength were being worsted by the patient endurance of the oppressed Maoris, whom they could not provoke to physical combat. He positively ordered his followers to persevere in the course of patient endurance, promising that if they did so all should yet bo well with them. Tohu followed in a similar strain, earnestly impressing on his hearers the necessity of preserving the strictest obedience to the injunctions of Te Whiti, who alone was able to save thorn.

[PBE PEBSS ASSOCIATION,] NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 18. At the Parihaka meeting yesterday, very few Natives were present. To Wbiti was very reticent, and made no allusion to the Government or their proposed sale of lands at Parihaka. His attitude is that of sullen antagonism to the Government. Ho refrains from indicating any lino of action, or from making a prophecy of coming events. Things look gloomy at Parihaka. A number of liberated prisoners were present, but Te Whiti took no notice of them, not even addressing a word of welcome. They attended the meeting by his permission. A number of Europeans wore present. OPUNAKE, January 18. Te Whiti addressed his people yesterday as usual in metaphor. He did not directly touch on politics. The prisoners released were present at the meeting. The Natives have full confidence should the Governor go to Parihaka in the final settlement of the difficulty. They ridicule our laws, owing to the release of the two years’ men, and boast of having made the Government break them. Hiroki officiated as caterer. Tuhi’s father looked downcast. The meeting was well attended, and the Natives appear more attached to their chief since the release of the labor prisoners.