THE ANNEXATION OF SAMOA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1020, 8 December 1883, Page 2

THE ANNEXATION OF SAMOA.

The following are alditional particulars re Samoan affairs and annexation. After the passage of the Federation and Annexation Act through the New Zealand Parliament, copies of the measure were transmitted to Mr John Lundon, then at Samoa, with the intention of having explained to the islanders and their Pailiament how the measure could facilitate the desires already entertained among them in favor of political {connection with this colony. It appears that the Consular administration which controls the islands in their relations with Europeans abroad or resident in the islands, has been very vexatious in its operations. The Islanders are pr°pared for anything to relieve them from this anomalous interference with them and with their government of themselves By the Penguin, from Fiji, Mr Lundon is the bearer of an important communication aidresed to the Premier and members of the Assembly of New Zealand. It appears that the Annexation Act of this cchmy has been fully discussed by the Pailiament and chiefs of Samoa, and that they have unanimously agreed to take steps towards obtaining annexation to New Zealand One of the communications says “various chiefs and members of Parliament have expressed themselves much gratified w-th the action taken by the Parliament of New Zealand with regard to Samoa, and they promised Mr Lundon that they would hold a meeting of both Houses of Parliament and discuss annexation, which they have since done, and were all unanimous for annex tion to New Zealand All members were present with the exception of the two kings, viz., Malietoi and the vice-king Tamesse, they thinking it better not to attend." It would appear that the Samoans have been particularly taken by the large sums voted by the New Zealand Parliament for education, for native schools and Land Courts ; and being a very intelligent people fully comprehended the amounts and the purport of the expenditure in the various departments of the public service. A communication forwarded from Samoa, by the request of the Samoa Government, to the Premier and Parliament of Ne w Zealand says : “ Members of the present Samoan Government and other chiefs of influence not in the Government have asked me to make the following proposition to you : —Will your Government pay the expense of a visit of a deputation of Samoan chiefs to Ne v Zealand, while there, and return back to Samoa? The deputation consists of ten members and an interpreter extra. They are willing to await this answer to appoint a deputation to visit you, consult you, and if clear and good to their mind to enter into temporary arrangements for annexation till further nows is obtained from the Home Go ernment. A deputation also from your Government to come back wi!h them and further this scheme and fix it at all points.” The letter urges, “ Send when in New Zealand show them about your Government vessel here for them ; the country, and they will return here full of wonder and admiration aid praise o f what your Government can do. It will get them a longing for and desire for their country to be like it ; get native members of Parliament to send an invitaion for King Malietoa to go to New Zealand.” Again—“ Since passing Sir George Grev’s resolution on this subject thro ’gh the House, the scheme, has borne fruit ; annexation is now the feeling.” In a memorandum accompanying it is said—- “ They are willing to go the full length of anything, so that they can get a check on the Gormans from taking land never sold to them, and a check on Consuls bullying them so often. They do not want to be a Crown Colony, but they desire to be joined to a representative one.” The statement goes so far as saying that should the Home Government decline to sanction action in the matter, they are prepared voluntarily to take action themselves, and declare themselves part *and parcel of New Zealand. There has never been a better opportunity of transferring this group to the British than now ; if not, France will be here next year, as well as at the New Hebrides. The last war vessel (French) from Tahiti that was here told the people that. next year they will coma and visit them and do them some good. The French priests do not want France here on account of the ill-feeling between the Republic and the priests. Every Catholic chief, Protestant chief and wild chief of influence is for joining New Zealand. Hoping, wishing and praying for it so as to get it settled in the mind and in Government.” The letter enclosing these documents for the New Zealand Government says They are written out by roe at the expressed wish of the present Government." The intelligence just received as to the strong desire of the Samoan (Government and Parliament in favor of annexation to New Zealand and of the steps taken with that object, has been transmitted by cable to Mr Whitaker at Sydney, so that he may be possessed of the information in the event of anything arising bearing on Samoa at the Convention.