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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2980, 13 January 1881, Page 2

The following common-sense view of Te Whiti is taken by a correspondent signing himself " Traveller," whose letter appears in the Post of the 10th instant: —It takes a clever man to humbug his fellows successfully, and I should never be guilty of the mistake of supposing that a leader among savages was not an intelligent savage, especially when his leadership did not depend upon his bravery or bodily strength. If Te Whiti is not a humbug, what is he ? Has he not for a long time periodically given utterance to a blasphemous rhapsody — sometimes proclaiming himself Jesus Christ, and predicting all sorts of ridiculous events, likely to excite the ignorant minds of the natives—which predictions, of course, were not fulfilled. Was not this humbugging, in the fullest sense of the word ? Ido not undervalue Te Whiti's craft and cunning. I say he is too crafty to enter into any engagement with Europeans which will diminish his prestige with his people. His power lies in pretending to be a prophet, or humbug. To be successful in this role, he must run the native mind counter to the wishes of the white men, or his power would depart from him. He preaches peace at present, but the natives evidently expect the time will come when he will alter his preaching ; meanwhile he will do nothing to commit himself as against his people. Like other savages, he is cunning—most probably treacherous and cruel, should he ever have the power, and to be dreaded while he has power, because the extent of his influence over the native mind cannot be understood except by those well acquainted with savage life; it exceeds that of their legitimate chiefs in a degree scarcely to be believed. Experience gained among the North American and other Indian tribes has shown that it is quite useless to attempt treaties, bargains, or to reason on tribal matters with those fanatics, whether crazy or sane. With the •' chiefs" or " braves " of a tribe or nation you may treat, and have honorable observance of the treaty, but not with a " prophet."