The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1885, ANNEXATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1289, 13 January 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1885, ANNEXATION.

The question of annexation is becoming one of all absorbing interest. Ever since it was mooted a few years ago the plot has been thickening, and it looks just now as if it were working up to a tragic climax. Perhaps the first scene in this interesting drama is that in which an official despatched by the Queensland Government planted the British flag on New Guinea a couple of years ago. This look everyone’s breath away ; it was rather too much for a Colonial Government to undertake such a responsibility, and when the subject was submitted to the British Government they disapproved of it. Remonstrances began to rush in upon them ; Agents-General interviewed them ; Premiers of the colonies urged the necessity of it, and so the hubbub continued intensifying until Lord Derby seemed disposed to unfreeze, and there appeared some likelihood of the Imperial Government undertaking the annexation of the South Pacific Islands. While the question was thus developing a desire for annexation seized France and Germany simultaneously. The first we heard of it was that a German official had committed some outrage on the British flag on the coast of Africa, but when it came to be investigated it was found to

be of a trifling nature, and the matter was amicably arranged. Then we hoard that France and Germany were acting in concert to overthrow the naval supremacy of Great Britain ; and next we were informed that some sort of an understanding existed between England and Germany, and that France was completely out of it. During the last few weeks, however, things have got more exciting. The news reached Auckland that efforts were being made by Germany to annex Samoa. Two German men-of-war ships visited the Samoan group, and tried to induce the natives to come to an arrangement with them, but the natives wore obstinate enough to tell the Germans they would prefer aunoxa tion with Great Britain. The wily Germans, however, seduced the King to their ships, and ho signed some document that hands over to the German Consul and two Germans of repute and two natives the government of the country. When the news arrived it was not credited, but shortly afterwards the Government received a telegram from Sir F. D. Bell, stating that the British Ambassador at Berlin suspected that something of the kind was going on. Immediately this news reached Sir Julius Vogel in Wellington, the Cabinet were called hastily together. The Hon. Mr Buckley hastened by special train on a Sunday evening from Tiraaru ; the Hon. R. Stout rushed to Wellington from Dunedin as fast as he could, and Ministers held a Cabinet meeting as soon as possible. J’his was commented upon at the time, but it was generally conjectured it had something to do with the loan. The mystery was intensified when it became known that the Hineraoa had been equipped for a long voyage, and left Wellington with some members,of the Ministry on board. The truth, however, was made known on last Saturday. The Cabinet met on the 31st of December to deliberate, and Sir Julius Vogel urged the imperative necessity for taking action in the matter of preventing these Islands falling into the hands of a Foreign Power. The decision arrived at was that the Governor should be requested to communicate with Lord Derby the opinion of his advisers that Samoa should forthwith be annexed to New Zealand, and that Her Majesty should be advised to assent to Sir George Grey’s Annexation Act. In the meantime it was decided, with a view to practical effect being given to to the decision of the Cabinet, that the Hineraoa should be made ready for a voyage to Samoa, Immediately after the termination of the Cabinet Council, His Excellency the Governor despatched a telegram to the Secretary of the State for the Colonies to the following effect : “Dec. 31. —My advisers deem the annexation of Samoa by New Zealand imperative, They have resolved on that step, and strongly urge the Royal assent to the ‘ Confederation and Annexation of islands Act 1883.’” The Confederation and Annexation Act would give the Government of New Zealand power to annex Samoa, but that has not received (he Royal assent yet, and it does not seem likely to. The following is the reply received from Lord Derby :—“ Uovcrnment disapprove of the proposed annexation of Bamoa by the New Zealand Government, pending the present negociations and the Royal assent being given to the Act specified.” This threw a damper on the feelings of the Government. They resolved to press the Royal assent being given to the Act that gives them power to annex, but the Hinemoa has not gone on her annexation mission yet. The .British Government have shown much disregard for Australian public opinion on the question of annexation, but at the same time we are not quite sure that they have not done the right thing with regard to Samoa. There are certain treaties and agreements in existence under which England, Germany and the United States have equal rights in Samoa. Under one of these treaties it is provided that “ the four articles regulating their conduct shall continue in force till ratified, modified, or rejected by the three protecting Powers.” Evidently neither of the three Powers has any right to move hand or foot in altering the present arrangement, and if Germany has done so she has given sufficient grounds to the other two Poweis for complaint. The question of annexation at present wears a very serious aspect. If Germany lias arrogated to herself supreme control over Samoa in violation of the existing treaties, John Bull and his eldest son, Brother Jonathan, are not the sort of men to look on quietly and say nothing. The only excuse Germany can have is that the people of Samoa desired to be annexed to New Zealand, but this cannot be looked upon as sufficient reason for breaking the solemn ageer-' ment existing between the three Powers. It is to be hoped that this will not lead to any serious consequences, but if it does, Germany will have England, America and the Australian Colonies to contend against, and we have no hesitation in saying that she will have more than enough to do. THE LOAN. After all the new loan of £1,000,000 has been floated on very favorable terms. Practically it lias been floated at par, and the amount subscribed for three times over, It is evident from this that had the Government adhered to their first resolution to float a two and a-quarter million loan it would all have been taken up just as eagerly as the one million has been. This is very satisfactory, considering the depressed state of the money market at Home at present.