THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3557, 21 May 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1880.

The Maori prophet—Lord of Parihaka—has a very happy way of-accounting for the non-fulfillment of his prophecies. Indeed lie is well versed in the art oi deceit. Whenever he prophesies, the words of his prophecy-always admit of several constructions, in order that in case one side of his prophecy failed to come to pass, the others would be successful of necessity. This has been the case in several instances where a speech would admit of two totally opposite interpretations. The latest example t-f shuffling on the part of Te Whiti was to be observed in our telegraphic summary of his speech, published in yesterday's issue. He spoke principally on the necessity of his race living in peace and love, but also introduced an important fact in connection with the meeting of roads. These are his words: —" He stated therefore that the Constabulary roads would not meet—not meaning that he was opposed to them aud would stop them, but simply because there was a large swamp which be was certain could not be crossed." This is a pleasant way out of the difficulty, after causing such a sensation in the newspapers in the colony. When the Maori Elijah sees that the roads are rapidly approaching one ia spite of his assurances on the contrary ; he brings forward some protest contained in his prophecy, not thought of by us before. The sp-sches at the com* mencement of the roadmaking were ell couched in combative language. Now, however, he uses the most peaceiul words he can think of. He now attributes the reason why the roads slould not\nieet to the er'stence of a jarge swamp that it is necessary to cross. This is a totally different reason to that expected a short time qgo. When the prophet sees thg romp'eiion of the roads, '■ he wi'l bri Jg forward some new contingencies for which he is doubtless prepared, and which are part of the meaning. of his rambling gibberish. More trouble has been caused between the two races through the halfwitted speeches of such men as Te Whiti, than through any actions on the part of our Government.