TOWN EDITION. Evening Post FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1881. THE PARIHAKA CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 90, 14 October 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. Evening Post FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1881. THE PARIHAKA CONFERENCE.

+. Wj are now in possession of some authoritative information regarding the remarkable conference which took place a few days ago between the Minister for Native Affairs and Tb Whiti, and although this does not add very much to what has already transpired, it assists to throw light on the steadily proceeding development of the Native crisis. It appears that during Mr. Rolleston's recent stay on the West Coast of this island communications were opened between himself and Tk Whiti through a European gentleman who is a very old and trusted friend of :

the Parihaka prophet, and who possesses a very long and intimate acquaintance with the peculiar ideas and feelings entertained by the latter. Probably no better choice of an envoy on such a mission could have been made in the whole Colony. The verbal correspondence went on for several days, the upsh't being that Te Whiti sent a cordial invitation to Mr. Rolleston to visit him at Parihaka, and discuss matters. Mr. Bolleston accordingly went to Parihaka, and a long conversation ensued throogh the medium of a specially trustworthy interpreter. As regards the nature of that conversation nothing has been officially idia- i closed beyond the fact that the result was "unsatisfactory," Te Whiti absolutely refnsing to recede in the smallest particular from the attitude he had assumed. From other sonrces we learn that Mr. Rolleston warned Te Whiti very distinctly and solemnly of the fixed determination on the part of the Government to settle matters definitely and permanently without tolerating any longer delay or obstruction, ana of the serious consequences that might befall himself and his followers if they persisted in their rebellious resistance, but that Te Whiti remained dogged and disdainful. Such then has been the unfavourable result of this interview, which donbtle3S will form a prominent event in our New Zealand history. It now remains to consider what ia the full Durport of that event, and what will be its probable sequel. In the first place it must be borne in mind that this direct communication with Te Whiti was one of the steps most strenuously urged upon the Government by the West Coast Royal Commission. Exception has several times been taken to the fact that hitherto this recommendation has not been carried out, excepting partially by the mission of Captain Knollts to Parihaka last Christmas. It ia well-known that Mr. Brtce dissented in several material respects from the views of the Royal Commissioners ; indeed, ho never hesitated to say so in very plain terms. He advocated the assumption of a more peremptory attitude than that advised by the Commissioners, and, although he has stated publicly that ho approved Captain Knollts' mißaion and the celebrated "light-on-the-mountains" letter from hia Excellency, of which that gallant officer was the bearer, he has explained that he did so purely with the idea that it should be an absolute ultimatum. We have never been able to follow tho reasoning hy which he sought to justify the proposal which he subsequently founded on the rejection by Te Whii i of that advance on the part of the Government. Te us it has always appeared that the proposed strong measures were absolutely barred by tho tone and conteuta of the Governor's letter. Te Whlti, however, while insisting that hia " potato wa3 cooked " by tho Governor, and that a potato conld not discuss its grievances with tho fire that oooked it, nevertheless exprpssed his desire to see the Governor at Parihaka. He has also time after time intimated his wish that the Native Minister Bhould visit him and talk over matters. But this Mr. Brtce always resolutely refused to do, lest such a step should appear as a concession to 'I c Whiti' s authority, and so enhance hia influence over his followers. Mr. Rolleston has pursued a similar course until now. What then, does this visit to Parihaka mean ? We will endeavour to make clear the construction which wo place upon it, but at the same time desire to state very distinctly that we are simply expressing our own uninspired views, unenlightened by any special information touching a matter which onght, and o£ necessity must be, a State secret. Our opinion then is that this visit Parihaka would and could only be paid on the verge of decisive action. Under any other circumstances it might have been construed aa a sign of weakness. Under the circumstances as in our view they exist, it was a last solemn warning before " the beginning of the end." 'Ihe Royal Commission recommended direct communication with Te Whiti. That report has been circulated among the natives, who therefore are aware of the recommendation having been made. All other suggestions mode by the Commission have been carried out, and now this also has been done. Except as an ultimatum, this might have created a misconception in the minds of the natives, and might have encouraged them to resistance under the idea that tho Government were atraid, and had been obliged at last to come to see Te Whiti. But as an ultimatum, and as a prelndo to an immediate and resolnte enforcement of the law, this would take a very different aspect, as giving the natives another proof of our desire to deal moderately and gently with them before resorting to severity. On review of all the facts of the case we are convinced that Mr. Rolleston's personal communication to Te Whiti was an ultimatum, and that it will be followed by prompt and vigorous action. We indicated some time ago the probable nature of the oourso to be adopted, and we observe that we are corroborated by a telegram from the " front " to the Wanganui Herald, a journal which seldom agrees with us, but which on this occasion is good enough to say that, in reference to tho Native difficulty and its probable outcome, "The Evening Post puts the issue with unsurpassed clearness." This is "Praise from Sir Hdbert Stanlet " indeed !