TE WHITI.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12965, 19 November 1907, Page 6

TE WHITI.

The death of the prophet Te Whiti recalls an exciting chapter in New Zealand history, and an interesting personality. The remarkable influence which To Whiti managed to exercise over a very large proportion of his race would make a deeply interesting subject of study for psychologists to investigat©. In its way it is fully as remarkable as that achieved by many of tho great religious leaders of history. T© Whiti was originally educated by a European missionary, and his teaching was a curious combination of Christianity and Maori superstition. It verged perilously near the blasphemous. H© did not hesitate to proclaim himself the Trinity, and his deluded follower, believed him. There was nothing they would not have done at his behest. When tho trouble at Parihaka reached a crisis, the Maoris had full confidence in his power to make them invulnerable" to pakeha bullets. Fortunately for him and for them, when he saw the Maori encampment compassed round with tho hosts of European volunteers and armed constabulary, he wisely forbore to put their devotion to the supremo test. He was a striking illustration of the old Maori belief in "Makutu," or "tbo evil eye." Even natives who refrained from joining, him, believed that he could bewitch thorn to death if he chose, and. shuddered at the thouglit. Mr Bryoe, in a striking passage in a memorable Stat© papor which h© wrote, has recorded how Hone Pihama, on© of th© friemdly chiefs who remained most faithful to the pakehas, nevertheless turned pale, and trembled when tho name of Te Whiti was mentioned, and confessed that he was afraid of him. Other Maoris who had reoeived a. good European education, and were to all appearanoes • not only c*vili-ed, but versed in European culture, came completely under the prophet's spell, threw off their European clothes, ond became once more aboriginals of the most superstitious type. From all parts of New Zealand, even from Stewart Island, th© natives sent tribute to T© Whiti, and owned his sway. Ho was most astute in his dealings with Europeans, never missing an opportunity to increase his "mana" at their expense. Even tho Governor, Sir Arthur Gordon, fell a victim to his cleverness. The service rendered by the Hall Ministry, and especially by tho Native Minister, Mr John Bryoe, in finally checkmating this dangerous fanatic, and rendering him and his movement harmless, without shedding a drop of blood, is one which New Zealand should ever remember with gratitude.