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Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6872, 9 March 1883, Page 4

The release of Te Whiti relieves the Government of a troublesome question. Alter all the fuss of the arrest, the elaborate pretence of trial, the admitted breach of the law and the deportation, the unwelcome moments retained of a calm that bad never been destined to be broken. Then the Government found Te Whiti a greater nuisance than ever. Bat though they did not know what on earth to do with him, it mast be said to tlieir credit they treated him well. He was sent on a trip through the Southern Island with his friend Tohu and an interpreter. Ho visited the Exhibition, he was heard to say “ kapai ” when he saw that wonder of agricultural triumph, the reaper and binder; and history has not preserved the exclamation he vented when he beheld the larrikin —no doubt it was something pithy and to the purpose. Perhaps at some future day it will be brought forth as evidence of deep-rooted disloyalty; and the testimony may be strengthened by reminiscences of what the chiefs said when their shrewd minds first grasped) the principle on which Government newspapers are conducted. At all events, the “dangerous rebel” was very well treated, and given a comfortable house in a pleasant climate, with good treatment. We really had begun to think that Mr Bryce bad forgotten all about Patihaka and Te Whiti. to say nothing of the groundless long-exploded fears of a campaign in western Taranaki. Happily for Te Whiti and Tohu they have not been forgotten. It would have been obviously impossible for Te Whiti, who had not only opposed war. but kept the peace, to remain in confinement and exile-even if unpunished other-wise-while Te Kooti was allowed to go free, in spite of his vigorous campaigns and. tremendous fighting mans. That Te Whiti has not been asked for pledges of loyalty any more than Te Kooti was asked for them is only justice. He returns to P&rihaka with nothing to be ashamed of. His record is exceedingly good. At a time when two Ministers of the Grown and 2000 troops were in western Taranaki, Te Whiti was the only man who obeyed the law, submitting to arrest at the hands of constituted authority. An Indemnity Act bars him from all legal remedy, and be is a very unlikely man, as be has been for years—the Government bad the word of a Commission of great sagacity and honesty to that effect—to seek any other, Parihaka has passed into the pash Memory would only lead to discontent, and discontent would bring misunderstanding, which in its turn would mean misfortune. The sooner the story is forgotten by all, including Te Whiti, the better.