NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2327, 19 September 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.! NEW PLYMOUTH, September 18. No direct information is to hand about the Parihaka meeting, but, from a reliable source, it is said thot Te Whiti’s speech yesterday was the most specific one he has ever delivered. There wore over 1000 Maori men capable of bearing arms present at the meeting. To Whiti is reported to have said that there might be 20,000 Pakehas settled on the land, but it would be their sepulchre, WELLINGTON, September 18. Some little uneasiness was created last night by private telegrams received from trustworthy persons who attended Friday’s Parihaka meeting. Of one of these the “Post” says:—“A private telegram received today from Pungarehu from a visitor just returned from the monthly meeting at Parihaka intimates that the speeches were of a more threatening character, and states that the general opinion in the district is that there will soon be trouble unless the Maoris alter their present attitude.” A later telegram from a different source, equally reliable, ran as follows:—“I attended Te V\ hiti’s meeting to-day. It was estimated that the number present was 3000, including 1000 fighting men ; but I think these numbers are exaggerated. Te Whiti and Tohu’s speeches were of an inflammatory nature. The former stated that Pungarehu would be a living tomb for tho Constabulary if 20,000 of them came there. A disturbance is considered imminent.” I know the senders of these telegrams, both of whom are orediablo and unbiassed persons. Taken alone they seemed somewhat alarming, and, in fact, a good deal of anxiety was caused. A different complexion, however, is cast on the affair by official telegrams received late last night, which, while corroborating to some extent the statement above quoted, place a leas formidable construction upon them, while tho context of tho speeches tend in a large degree to lesson tho apparently menacing nature of their purport. For instance, the prediction about Pungarehu being a “living tomb for tho Constabulary ” does not seem to have meant that they would bo slain and buried there, but rather to point to a continuance of potty obstructions on Te Whiti’s part, forcing the Government to keep a largo force of Constabulary there “ buried alive,” as it wore. Thus, if 20,000 were sent there, they could only remain there “living,” but “ buried,” unless Te Whiti gave them a pretext for warlike action. Te Whiti also said—“ The weapon was ending with the prisoners,” but whether he meant that they had fulfilled their task and had no more to do, aa ho had previously said, or that they wero now to perform a different part (which some imagine to have boon his meaning), nobody can say positively. The opinions of those who heard him are divided. It is true ho, in one part of his spoooh, called on both sides “ now to take up their weapons,” but this, which in itself would have seemed alarming, is qualified by another sentence, in which ho said that “ goodness” should be victorious, and that the good should rule tho world. In short his utterances, and those of Tohu, wore thoroughly ambiguous, and might moan anything. The chief fear seems to be that To Whiti is feeling his influence over his followers waning, and may leave them to do more as they like than hitherto. At the same time the Government are fully prepared for any sudden emergency, and should such unhappily arise, which at present is not at all anticipated, there is an irresistibly strong force of constabulary on the spot ready for instant action.

and full strength would be put forth instantly to crush any actual outbreak. A very strong block house was erected some time back at Pungarohu, and a re-inforcement of fifty Armed Constabulary was sent last week to Oponake. The number of “ fighting men ” at Farihaka is believed to be somewhat exaggerated, I have deemed it advisable to give this full on the best authority, in order to allay any causeless apprehension.