GOING TO PARIHAKA.

Patea Mail, 13 January 1882, Page 3

GOING TO PARIHAKA.

Some natives still cleave to the old fanaticism, and are now on their way to the native Mecca at Parihaka for the monthly meeting on the 17th. Five or six drays passed through Patea this morning laden with various kai—dried fish, bacon, and other dainties that are sweet to the native palate. When these people get towards Opunaki, what will the Constabulary do ? There seems nothing for it but to turn them back—kindly but firmly send them home again. We are told that they do not expect to be admitted to Parihaka, they being from Wangehu district, but that their intention is to get Hone Piharaa to send the food forward to Parihaka, he being friendly with Government. They say this present of food is sent because Government destroyed the native food planted at Parihaka, This idea should be set against the fact, that the real Parihaka natives have been sending dray-loads of provisions as presents to natives at Waitara. Natives along this Coast have not all given up the Te Whiti craze. Patience and firmness will be needed to stamp out this lingering fanatical folly. Perhaps the natives hope to see Te Whiti “ return from the dead for being in prison, he is dead in the figurative sense which Maoris understand. If by any mishap or legal flaw in the Court procedure, Te Whiti were to be acquitted of the charges, without the cooling effect of a long imprisonment, this would be hailed by the native race as a fulfilment of his own prophesy, and would establish him as their Christ and Saviour. They half believe it now. Political exigency requires that Te Whiti shall be kept out of the way for a long period. Treat him as kindly as you will, but keep him away. This West Coast is now recovering from the stupor of a long nightmare.