SIR GEO. GREY AND THE KING OF SAMOA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1339, 12 May 1885, Page 3

SIR GEO. GREY AND THE KING OF SAMOA.

An entertaining and instructive letter has just been written by Sir Geo. Grey to the King of Samoa in reply to a recent communication sent to Sir George asking for advice and assistance in the present crisis in Samoa. After alluding to his own action in introducing the question of federation and annexation into the N.Z. Parliament of 1883, Sir George Grey goes on to reply to Malietoa's letter, the following being the most important passages :

" Wby great nations, each having many millions of subjects and vast possessions in many parts of the world, should prevent two groups of islands in the remote Pacific from uniting to work out in their own way their common welfare and happiness is difficult to understand. The mutual jealousies of those nations are probably the cause, but it they definitely refuse to allow the union of New Zealand and Samoa, then in their mutual jealousies lies Samoa's best hope of safety. Let me venture to add a few words of 1 advice to one whose letter of frankness touched me, and who is placed in a position of exceeding difficulty, nnd who 1 sincerely desire to aid and benefit. Much of the future of your people depends on you ; for their sake you must dare, bear, and suffer all things which you maybe called upon to suffer or endure. Do all openly and sincerely. Never resort to secret negotiations or arrangements, and if any persons come to you with any pror posal to do this, refuse : say that the mere fact of their comitsg in this guise is unfair to you, as it will inevitably cast suspicion on your conduct, and involve you in difficulties which may even rink the losb of the independence of Samoa. If you act in this open manner, and at

the same time juive no just cause of complaint, I do not think that any statesman, however powerful, would venture to commit the great crime of seizing on or oppressing a weak and inoffensive nation such as Sumo'i if. In this weakness, in the inoffsnsiveoess of your harbor, in the fertility of your soil, iu the value of your position, your security consists. Mutual jealousies would make all great nations look with displeasure on any power that wrongfully seized Samoa. To do this would be a cruel and inexcusable breach of international law, and general indignation would be excited in all civilised countries. If such a crime was about to be commixed, or if it has been committed; and as you are asking redress, you had better rest your arguments against it on your natural rights—the freedom of the Sanioan people from any wrong or hostile act, and the sinfulness of the piratical act which is about to be committed, or which has been committed. . All good men, learned or unlearned, can understand and feel these things and sympathise with you. Do not rely on legal arguments. In European precedents there would be no likeness between such cases and that of Samoa. Your case is a very simple one, easily understood- let it remain so ; embarrass it with nothing that may distract attention from the cruel selfishness of that act. I have written to you in the same spirit of friendly frankness with which you addressed me. I will take care when the questioj of Samoa comes before the New Zealand Parliament, as it shortly will do, that your interests are fairly represented. If England does not sanction our union, you may rest assured that New Zealand will long with pleasure remember the offer made by yourself, your Government, and Parliament, to be annexed to this country. Some day I may have an opportunity of repaying an act which is the greatest proof that could be given of entire confidence. If all goes well with yourself and people of Samoa, let me know as one who will rejoice to heir such good news. If Samoa is involved in any further difficulty, let mt know as one who may be useful and who will aid you to the best ot his ability in all right things."