TE WHITI'S ARREST.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2422, 10 January 1882, Page 4

TE WHITI'S ARREST.

“Anglo-Australian ” writes in the "European Mail” as follows:—Much satisfaction has been expressed at the arrest of Te Whiti. Following the example of the Home Government in arresting the notabilities of the Land League, the New Zealand Government have done well in taking into their safe keeping a prophet whose prophetic ravings were calculated to lead to trouble between his people and the colonists. Though this ia a new departure, it is certainly one in the right direction. It may be taken for granted that the gentleman under notice was arrested because he was dangerous as an enemy to the public peace, and it is something gained on the side of law and order that by this act the Government has indicated to all those chiefs who are of a turbulent turn of mind that their chieftainship will not protect them, and that when they take up the trade of rebels they will not be regarded as independent chiefs upon whom the colony will make war, but that individually they will be liable to arrest whenerer they are disposed to dispute the authority of the Government or to commit acts that are likely to lead to a breach of the public peace. The action of the Government is the more to bo commended because there can be no doubt, however averse Te Whiti might have been to hostile acts, his people would have so committed themselves that encounters much to be deplored between them and the border settlers must have occurred. Now, therefore, that the chiefs know the mind of the Government they are likely to keep upon their good behaviour. It is satisfactory that “ the King,” who does not aspire to the gift of prophecy, does not sympathise with Te Whiti. do far, then, the Government has managed a most difficult matter with some astuteness ; but, now that they have caught their hare, the next question that arises is, what are they going to do with him ? Of course, he will be regarded in the light of a “suspect,” and treated with due consideration. Though not a man of mettle, he is a man of man of some importance, with a respectable following of misguided people. Perhaps the best thing that could be done with him would be to send him home to Mr Ghesson, of the Aborigines Protection Society, who would show him round to his friends of the Exeter Hall school. He would thus stand a very good chance of being converted to Christianity, so that when he returned to the colony in ttie character of a Christian missionary he would become a very good member of society, and give the Government no further trouble. As there is every chance of Oetewayo visiting London about Juno next, Te Whiti’s advent here might be so timed that the two worthies might be lionised together. If such a meeting could be brought about, Exeter Hall and Mr Ohesson would hare reached the seventh heaven of delight.