THE WAIMATE PLAINS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5560, 23 January 1879, Page 3

THE WAIMATE PLAINS

(From own Correspondent Wanganui Htvald.) Various opinions are expressed as to the ultimate result *f the Waimate Plains surveys. Some persons are very sanguine because the surveyors were allowed to go off the Plains and continue the work without opposition. Others consider this a bad feature, and that it would have shown a healthier state of things if the natives had opposed the survey of their favorite portions of the Plains. The real reason : why no tribal opposition has been offered is that Te Whiti, the influential Hauhau chief and prophet of Parihaka, told the Plains’ natives not to oppose the surveys, as it would not take the land from them, and that in the month of March he would deal out those lands. The natives rely on the March meeting, and have offered no tribal opposition to the surveys. The Hon. the Native Minister ha», on throe different occasions, visited the Plains with a view to meet the natives, and to discuss the question of confiscation and reserves. They have refused to meet except at Parihaka, that the question might be discussed with Te Whiti. Thus the matter stands for the present; the surveys are proceeding, but the natives have in no way consented to the surveys, or to ceding the land surveyed. They make no demands for reserves, because they have not ns yet consented to give up any portion of these lauds. Various rumors are in circulation as to the present feeling of the natives. It is rumored that they have come to a quiet determination that occupation shall not follow the surveys. This is mere rumor, as the natives have not decided on any line of action, nor will they determine on any course until the March meeting at Parihaka. The majority desire to have a full discussion between all interested in these lands and the Government, but they will only discuss the question at Parihaka, with a view to have Te Whiti’s debating powers to aid them, and nothing will induce that chief to leave Parihaka. This might have been done immediately after the surveys commenced, with more satisfactory results than could be expected at present. The unfortunate escape of Hiroki, his having taken refuge at Parihaka, and being protected by Te Whiti on the plea that the murder committed by him was political, and justifiable, as it was done in opposition to the Momahaki block surveys, would make it appear that Te Whiti is not now so friendly to Europeans or surveys as was at one time supposed. There is another feature that tends to complicate native matters at this critical juncture, which is the accession of strength Te Whiti is gaining at Parihaka. For some months natives have been collecting there from Waikato, Upper Wanganui, and other places. These natives are not there on a visit, but as they express it, go to plant there, which means that they intend to settle there for a season at least, and these natives who are migrating to Parihaka are the scum or discontented from the various districts from which they migrate. Since the close of the Maori war, in 1865, Te Whiti has been an advocate of peace, and did not aid in Titokowaru’s rebellion in 1868. But chiefs are no longer despotic rulers over their tribes; Maoris have become more republican, and a chief can only rule by ascertaining the feelings of the majority of his people, going with their views, and leading them as they wish, or desire to be led. With such a large accession of the riffraff of various native tribes, it is difficult to say how the majority at Parihaka may decide. It is, however, quite clear that Te Whiti is aiming to make Parihaka and its surroundings a district over which our laws shall have no jurisdiction. Since and before Hiroki went there, natives committing thefts have found it a haven of refuge. Such a state of things cannot be tolerated long ; steps will have to be taken to prevent the recurrence of the Hiroki tragedy, or the lives of individual members of survey parties and intending settlers will be in danger. The majority of the old natives on this coast have been through the war, and desire a contimiance of peace. But among them ar© reckless and badly disposed young natives, who have grown up since the war, and are anxious to distinguish themselves as warriors; they are quite likely to make her©es of themselves by doing as Hiroki did, if they can make sure of Parihaka as a haven of refuge, and that is what Parihaka will become, if steps aro not taken to make it insecure, and shake Te Whiti’s confidence in his power to protect malefactors, and to effect this it will be necessary to locate a strong force in the vicinity of this great centre of Hauhaaism. A colonial work of importance (the Cape Bgmont lighthouse) has to be erected, and the site chosen is within five miles of Parihaka. To Whiti’s conduct in harboring a murderer gives a good excuse for going on with the erection of the lighthouse, without waiting Te Whiti’s sanction. By sending a strong body of men to erect it, and constabulary sufficient to protect the works, a double object would be obtained. A work of great commercial importance would be erected, and a great political point gained, by having a force stationed where they would act as a check on Parihaka, There is no apparent danger of tribal opposition ; the danger to be apprehended is from rash acts that may be committed by a few reckless young spirits, that might lead to serious complications, and while Parihaka affords a place of refuge, it is a strong temptation to the young and fiery spirts to distinguish themselves by becoming heroes like Hiroki. When General Cameron came on this coast to commence operations Hori King of Wanganui said : This man is doing a foolish thing ; he has left off cutting at the stem of the tree, and has come here to lop off some of the branches. That will not kill the tree ; if he had finished cutting the stem (Waikato) the branches would have withered and died. We are working among the branches, and Parihaki is the stem that shelters evil-doers — while it remains to shelter malefactors the wilder spirits among them will be tempted to commit rash actions. If, however, a force is placed near enough to prevent it affording shelter to such as Hiroki, and ample reserves are given where the majority of the natives have their cultivations, there is little danger of opposition to the surveys, or occupation of the Waimate Plains.