NEW ZEALAND AND SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7221, 9 January 1885, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND AND SAMOA.

. THE HINEMOA MYSTERY EXPLAINED. ACTION OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. TELEGRAM FROM LORD DERBY. In view of the intense interest felt by the public in the Island policy of the Government, and the widespread irritation which has been caused by. the extreme mystery in which Ministers have been pleased to envelop their recent proceedings relative to Samoa, we deem it expedient to publish the following information :— On December 27 the Government received a telegram fro Sir Dillon Bell, the Agent-General in London, stating that the British Ambassador at Berlin had reason to believe that Germany intended to annex Samoa, or proclaim a protectorate over the Navigator Group. On receipt of this important information (which was subsequently confirmed in a measure by intelligence from Samoa, via Fiji) a Cabinet Council was hastily convened at Wellington. A telegram was despatched to Mr. Stout, the Premier, who was then at Dunedin, requesting his immediate return to Wellington; and Mr. Buckley, the Colonial Secretary, who was also in Dunedin at the time, was likewise desired to expedite his return to the seat of Government. In consequence of the importance of the communication received from London, it was considered advisable that His Excellency the Governor should be present at the council of Ministers, and Sir William Jervois accordingly left Christchurch, where he was staying with his family, and returned in haste to the capital. On December 31, Ministers met in Cabinet CouncD, there being present Mr. Stout, Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Buckley, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Reynolds. During the sitting, which was a protracted one, Ministers were in constant communipation with His Excellency, who for a portion of the time was present at the council, which was held at the official residence of the Colonial Treasurer. The subject of German annexation in the Pacific was discussed generally, but the attention of the Cabinet was mainly occupied with the Samoan question, and the alleged designs of Germany in regard to that group of islands. Sir Julius Vogel strongly urged the imperative necessity for the Government of New Zealand taking immediate action for the purpose of preventing these islands falling under the dominion of a foreign Power, and pointed out that this colony, by reason of its geographical position and trade, was deeply interested in the Navigator Group. The evident desire of the natives of these islands to be brought into close alliance with New Zealand, as shown by the petition addressed by some of their most influential chiefs to the New Zealand Government, was referred to as an argument in favour of this colony being entrusted with the task o,E extending British dominion in these parts, in the event of the Imperial Government declining to take action. Mr. Stout coincided with the views expressed by the Colonial Treasurer, and they were generally acquiesced in by the other members of the Cabinet. The decision arrived at by the Cabinet, after mature and prolonged deliberation, was that His Excellency the Governor should be requested to communicate to Lord Derby the opinion of his advisers, that Samoa should forthwith be annexed to New Zealand by the Colonial Government, and that Her Majesty should be advised 'to assent to the Act passed by both Houses in 1883, and entitled "An Act to facilitate the confederation with and annexation to the colony of New Zealand of any island or islands in the Pacific, the Government or constituted authority of which may make proposals to that effect to the Government of New Zealand." In the meantime it was decided, with a view to practical effect being given to the decision of the Cabinet, that the Hinemoa should be made-ready for a voyage to Samoa. Immediately after the termination of the Cabinet Council the Governor despatched a telegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the following effect:—

December 31. My advisers deem annexation Samoa by New Zealand imperative. Have resolved on that step, and strongly urge Royal assent to Confederation Annexation Islands Act, 1883.

Extra stores having been laid in by the Hineinoa, and the necessary preparations made for the contemplated voyage to Samoa, the steamer left Wellington the same evening, having on board Sir Julius Voge) and Mr. Buckley, and proceeded to Waiwera, where she arrived on Monday morning last;. In the meantime a reply had been received from Lord Derby to the telegram sent by the Governor, of which the following is understood to be the substance:— - <

Government disapprove proposed annexation Samoa by Mew Zealand Government pending present negotiations and Royal assent given to Act specified.

A copy of Lord Derby's telegram was communicated to Sir Julius Vogel at Waiwera by the Governor's private secretary (Mr. Pennefather), and an informal Cabinet Council was forthwith held at Waiwera, at which Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Buckley, and Mr. Tole were present, when it was decided to again urge upon the Imperial Government the importance of sanctioning the proposed action of the New Zealand Government. It is anticipated that the further pressure brought to bear upon Lord Derby will induce the Imperial Government to consent to the wishes of the colonial Ministry, and in the meantime, pending advices from London, the Hinemoa is being kept in a state of readiness to proceed to sea at a moment's notice.