REMOVAL OF THE MAORI PRISONERS.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 50, 17 January 1880, Page 2

REMOVAL OF THE MAORI PRISONERS.

(Canterbury Press.) Thic removal of the Maori prisoners from Wellington to Hokitika and Dunedin, intelligence of which was published in yesterday’s issue, is a step which could hardly fail to produce a profound impression for good upon the Natives on the West Coast of the North Island. It is a measure which, in the most practical manner, gives the lie direct to the assertions of Te Wliiti that the prisoners could neither bo released nor moved without his permission, and that the time had not yet come. Already symptoms had appeared that the implicit faith in To Whiti's word was on the wane, and those who were formcly his disciples had become split into two sections. The loss of faith thus commenced is certain to bo greatly accelerated by the action of the Government with respect to the prisoners, and it may he confidently anticipated that at the next Parihaka meeting some very awkward questions on the subject will be propounded to the prophet. 01 course he will seek to avado them, heaping bh»a-

plmmy on blasphemy. and falsehood nri falsehood; bnt the time has gone by when arguments of this kind eonid prove' conclusive even to the subjects m To Wluti’s fantastic realm, and they will need to Ire told distinctly why the prisoners have neon removed, and how it was done in defiance of the prophet’s alleged power. Hut not only will the effect of the new disposition of the prisoners lie great in lessening the prestige of To Whiti ; i* will also proportionately enarge tin* native idea of the power of the Government.