THE POSITION OF TAWHIAO.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 33, 8 January 1884, Page 2

THE POSITION OF TAWHIAO.

FWaikato Times.] , A correspondent " X " writes :— The position of Tawhiao, the non- defunct potentate of Maoridom, is one decidedly not the most eniable for the presumed head of a people to occupy. A year ago and Taw'hiao, by the expression of the single word "Ye 3," could have been transferred from a position with imaginary mana, which he "thon held, to one of real thongh 'subordinate power, elevated to a leading position m European life, held responsible office, arid discharged important duties, could have provided hand somely for his relations and immediate followers, and had a say m the Government of the country, and thereby the better Government, of his own people ; but to day, through the foolish exercise of a purblind belief,, and an undue reliance on the dictates and advice of his selfish advisers, ignoring what must have been the dictates of his own reason and conscience, he has been brought to the position of a poor dependent subject leading the life of a veritable nomad 10 whom nobody looks, and for whom (m point of authority), nobody cares. No one who was present at Mr Bryce's meeting with Tawhiao at ; the opening of the brid ge over the Waipa at WhaliwhatLhoe, when Tawhiao was offered £500 a year, and the residence of the Government land m Waikato, together with numerous other little piokings, and who there observed how matters transpired, and how conclusions were arrived, at, will deny that Wahanui wa,'i responsible for Tawhiao'a re usal'of My Bryco's offer— will deny that when Tawhiao had rnadef up his mind to accept (for of this Mr Bryce, 'previous to the meeting, had been apprised) Wahan'ui waif the roan who came forward and refused for him '1 he very people who at that time, erected the platform of Tawhiao's visionary mana, and theivon placed the confiding monarch, were the same who a few days ago, m recognition of the foolish and absurd policy which they were pursuing, asked to have their lands surveyed and adjudicated upon, and thus pulled the last plank of the platform f'rqm under the feet of him they had m all earnestness placed upon it. Tawhiao's herditary mana, which, m the shape*of isolation, he maintained unquestioned for years, and which was strongly endorsed at the time above referred to ; like a misty cloud, having for a long- time obscured his vision has now vanished into space, and tho true state of affairs is now revealed to him. He has been brought face to face with the consequences of hisfo )lish obstinacy; the friends and advisers upon whom he at one time reliod have deserted him, and he now finds himself launched on the cold sea of his own personal re sources. Were itnownow too late m the day to alter hit* mind, he might profit by his experience, and rely more upon his own judgement than upon that of others; but all opportunities have now passed, Tawhiao is no longer the Maori King of the past; ho may still lay claim to the title, but it will profit him no more than if|it >vcrea stigma; his unfortunate person is now nil that remains of a prominent institution m the political concerns of this colony. Now that Mr Bryce'-s object has been realized, we merely hope he will not, m all mercy, throw Tawhiao aside with ignominy ; but, instead, make some small provisions for both him and his family through life. Now that he has come to realise his true position, we have little doubt he will not be above the fatherly care and attention of one who has all along proved hxmself his friend— the Native Minister.