THE SAMOAN PETITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1053, 20 September 1883, Page 2

THE SAMOAN PETITION.

The following is the text of the Samoan annexation petition, numerous copies of which have been transmitted by Mr Sherrin to Samoa and England yesterday To the Government of the colony of New Zetland. The petition of us the undersigned hereditary chiefs, heads of

tribes and other aboriginals of Samoan or Navigator Island in the South Pacific Ocean, and also of us the European inhabitants of the said islands, showeth—(l) That your petitioners have heretofore viewed with the deepest concern the relations existing between the two races, and the unsatisfactory condition of the political Government and social order upon which the prosperity of these islands in a great degree depends. (2) That your petitioners rejoice to learn that the Legislature of New Zealand have enacted a measure to facilitate the annexation to the colony of New Zealand of any island or islands in the Pacific whose inhabitants may make proposals to that effect to you as the Government of the said colony, (d) It is firmly believed by your petitioners that if negotiations were made under the provisions of an enactment, and carried on to a successful issue, the evil consequences which have resulted from the existence of a new state o f affairs in these islands generally, and against which your I petitioners most anxiously and urgently desire to provide, would no longer continue. Your petitioners earnestly point out to your Government the desirability, as early as possible, of causing the ap--1 pointment of a Commission or Commissioners to conduct with us, or some fit and proper persons appointed by us, negotiations relative to the annexation of these islands to Now Zealand, (i) Your petitioners do not at this stage think it necessary to enter upon several grave questions as to Customs and territorial rights of your aboriginal petitioners, as also the establishment of laws and institutions applicable to the aborigines or Europeans, due regard to the just rights of both races of inhabitants, and generally such other important questions which would naturally have to bo considered in arriving at a basis of such annexation, or:terms upon which such annexation might be satisfactorily concluded, all of which matters would more properly arise when the above-mentioned

Commission or Commissioners may bo appointed. Your petitioners therefore most sincerely and respectfully pray that your Government will in accordance with the spirit and intention of the Act passed by the Legislative Assembly of New Zealand listen to the appeal which we now make to you by enabling your petitioners by annexation to your colony to secure to these islands lasting peace, and that good order and government which your colony enjoys, and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.