Annexation of Samoa.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 95, 28 March 1885, Page 6

Annexation of Samoa.

The Act passed by the Samoan Parliament and communicated to the Government at Wellington is a proof that the Malietoa section of the natives are ripe for a chango of Government ; but those who know anything of Samoan affairs are awaro that the Malietoa party is by no means secure in the possession ot power : there is a pow erf nl opposition, and but for foreign interference, internecine war would have broken out ere this. The clause of the Act setting forth that the Government have no money, and that the expenses of annexa<ion will have to be borne by hew Zealand, is a timely reminder of the work that is before this colony should its Government begin to dabble in foreign enterprises. A very formidable native and international trouble, ready prepared, awaits our attention in the Navigator Islands, and what is to be the gain 1 The European population numbers loss than two hundred, and the bulk of the trade is ti ansacted by German and American firms. The champions of Samoan annexation will never condescend to details and tell us what New Zealand can gain by undertaking the government of Samoa. They love to dwell in the broadest generalities and lofty expressions, which sound well but mean nothing, Fiji is a very much better and more attractive field of operations. There not only is a substantial white population, owning large interests, established there, but settled self - sustaining governing machinery needing only a vigorous colonising spirit directing it to make the colony prosper, and become the centre j of a large and expanding trade. Few people are aware of the extent and resources of the Fijian group of islands. Their power ot production is enormous, and what has been done hitherto is nothing compared with the possibilities of the group under an energetic government. In connection with this subject of onnoxation the following semi official announcement appears in the Wellington u Post " :—": — " We are requested by the Hon. Mr Toleto state that Sir George Grey has in no way instigated any action taken by Mr John Lundon in Samoa in reference to the annexation question, and that Mr Lundon had not any authority to use his name in the matter. The petition which Mr Lundon took with him to Samoa was drafted by Mr Tole at the request of certain parties in Auckland, but Sir George Grey was not consulted on the subject, and in fact knew nothing of the matter."

According to the Northern Maori prophetess, the end of the world is to come on the 28th inst. To Whiti does not appear to have fixed the date as he promised ho would on the 17th, Cunning dog, Te Whiti I