TE WHITI'S LATEST UTTERANCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 13, 26 May 1880, Page 3

TE WHITI'S LATEST UTTERANCE.

[per united press association.]

Native statements in reference to the Parihaka meeting are conflicting as to Te Whiti's meaning. Some say he refers to the swamps as the impediments to prevent the roads from meeting ; those more in the prophet's confidence say hisjeord has no reference to the actual road now being made, the word " road " being only used in metaphor to signify the paths of the two races, the policy or interests of the races being the two ends that cannot meet. At the same time, he strictly enjoins peace and good will to all men, and forbids interference with the road parties or the works in progress. * It is also said, by some of the natives, that he forbids any more # whares being erected to the seaward of the reserves.

The Opunake correspondent of the Wanganui Herald telegrai)hed to that journal : — " In Ins speech, Te Whiti said that the sacred portion would not be trespassed on for ever, and that the occupation by those who were engaged in the road making was only temporary. With regard to the road, he said ' that even though the two roads met, that would not end them,' which is doubtless nothing 'mt quibble. The natives generally in March last understood that the two roads vould not meet, but they now seem perictly satisfied with the explanation. A imarkable characteristic of his speech as, that it abounded in advice to his eople to romain steadfast and not to turn >n one side. He told them that no harm should come to them, and expressed a wish that they should be more constant in 'tendance at Farihaka. He then assured era that there is to be no fighting, and . people are advised that they can travel night or day in perfect security. Tohu tnmenced his speech in the afternoon, it after speaking a short time he was itorrupted by rain, and the speech was ontinued at night in the large meeting use. This speech was very peaceable, •)hatically so, but he was very firm in assertion that he should be able to iy through his scheme to a successful

termination with his lips alone, notwithstanding the strength and warlike attitude of the Government. It is to be noticed that building is going on rapidly at Parihaka, and fencing is about to be started along the road at the point where the Constabulary will cross the road from the beach to Parihaka. There were upwards of 1000 souls present, and Te Whiti's speech lasted one hour and ten minutes."