THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2254, 19 May 1881, Page 3

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

(PBEBS ASSOCIATION TKMOEAM.)

WELLINGTON, May 18. The monthly meeting was held at Parihaka yesterday, when about 2500 Natives were present, including all the returned prisoners—--256 in number. Te Whiti spoke as follows, according to the translation of the official interpreter : —“ The good and the evil commenced at the beginning, not at this time. There have been only peace and war up to now. The Almighty arranged it all, not ourselves. Men are not able to arrange matters; the atua (deity) will settle it all, both for great and small. The year brings forth its own crops according to the season; it has always been so. Let the wise and foolish listen to what my tongue tells you. The Almighty did not make a pah, but arranged otherwise. Many might wish to be here but have not come to greet the halt and blind. My heart is glad to do good and leave evil behind. There shall bo no fighting in this generation ; evil must give way to good. What I said formerly I say now, in spite of gnashing of teeth; it is of no use. Evil is of Satan. If good were of no use, evil would be in the land. Satan has made all evil—adultery, stealing, and other things. There is no evil sent to the prisoners. You are a memorial to all people. Let good prevail; let the prisoners be at peace. Those who put you in prison may suffer; those who fight on the land will perish on the land.” Tohu said—"l have nothing different to say. This generation must pay attention to my words. Nothing can prevent good. Neither this meeting nor I know what the prisoners wore taken for. Everything has been said to-day. There shall be no more fighting. Formerly Christ taught, but now Te Whiti does. Christ told us formerly what was right, and you have disowned Satan. There will be no more fighting. I did not let yon go to be distressed, but as a proof that we are right. We all bow to those who have oome back. May you all bo wise in future. Money would not buy what has been said here ; it is good for the ears. They (the Europeans) think fear caused yon to be taken prisoners, and that Te Whiti was afraid to seek payment. I say the works of Satan will not succeed. What has been said to-day is in accordance with Christ’s saying, I bow my head, and my heart is glad, though I don’t think you were taken righMy. Preachers say, 4 Be not afraid of them that kill the body. ’ I look forward to what may happen. Fighting has gone to its own place. After all this is to be quietness. This is a great day for us; evil is dead and good is alive. What I say is right; there shall be no more distress.” Te Whiti said the Government had created quarrels in the hearts of men at the beginning. He exhorted the returned prisoners, who were all present, to remember who they were, and told them that they would now bo upheld as a mark for all people, as they had achieved great things. Many had tried to do what they had done and had failed. By peaceable means only could it be reached. His heart was glad to see them back, “ although you may be ,lame and blind, or even sucking babes.” He said, “ You have conquered Satan and his braves. War was on his throne, but has now ceased through his banishment. Had you not succeeded in this Tohu would not be here to-day. You were not imprisoned for adultery nor for stealing blankets, but for carrying out and upholding the words of Te Whiti. Prison houses under the circumstances lose their disgrace and become houses of joy. Yon must remember that great things depend on yon. Your opponents in the quarrel shall he scattered and imprisoned, and their works will turn against them.” Tohu said that there would be a new God, The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost had ceased as was ordained. Te Whiti and himself would take their places. He said “Wo don't know for what you were imprisoned. I did not select you for death, but as emissaries to enter to kings’ houses. If you say in future that God is speaking you will be wrong. I will toll you it is Tohu.” The general tone of the meeting was very peaceful.