NEW ZEALAND AND SAMOA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1156, 27 April 1894, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND AND SAMOA.

It was decided on Thursday week at a full Cabinet meeting of all the Ministers in Wellington to propose to the Imperial Government the settlement of the Samoan difficulty by annexation to New Zealand. It will be generally remembered that some years ago King Malietoa actually made an offer of cession to New Zealand. Since then the state of the islands has not been happy, and the difficulty of governing them has proved to be an increasing difficulty. The joint management of the Treaty Powers not having been successful, the Cabinet has decided to represent to the Imperial Government that tjhe geographical position of New Zealand is a guarantee for the efficient supervision now lacking to Samoa, and the interest of New Zealand in the Pacific cable and mail routes will be served by the establishment of a protectorate, like that of Raratonga. The Imperial Government will be asked to submit the proposal to the Treaty Powers. Should these object to annexation by New Zealand, Ministers make an altera \tive proposal to govern the islands for the Powers.

The Hon Mr Seddon #n Tuesday received the following cablegram from the Premier of Victoria :

" Your important telegram respecting Samoa received. I congratulate you upon the course you are taking, and upon the favourable conjuncture of circumstances. The proposed action is in the direction of the principles which Australasia generally has consistently advocated, that the control of the islands of the Western Pacific should rest with Australasia. I think you should press for undivided control. I fear that acting on behalf of the treaty Powers would sooner or later prove unsatisfactory. Without committing the Government to details, we will most cordially support your representation to the Imperial Government. I will immediately telegraph instructions to the Agent-General to that effect.—J. B. Patterson, Premier, Melbourne."

Subsequently the following cablegram came to hand from the Premier of South Australia :

" We have asked the Governor to wire the Secretary for Colonies earnestly supporting your action re Samoa and hoping that your request may be granted. We hope for Australasian concert in the question. —F. W. Holder, Premier, Adelaide." By Telegraph. — Press Association.—Copy rigid. London, April 22.

Sir George Grey is pleased with the attitude of the New Zealand Government over the Samoan difficulty, and expresses the belief that English-speaking people should control the whole of the Pacific islands.

The British press generally agree with the proposal submitted by the New Zealand Government for the annextion of Samoa. London, April 23.

Sir Westby Perceval has arranged for an interview with the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject of the New Zealand Government's proposal to take over Samoa.

London, April 24.

Lord Eipon intends to refer the proposals of the New Zealand Government regarding Samoa to the Cabinet.

Sir Westby Perceval, in his communication to Lord Eipon, urged that New Zealand's trade with Samoa exceeds ,£20,000 per annum, and that the German residents would welcome any change which would restore confidence.

In the House of Commons Sir E. Grey, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, declared that New Zealand's proposal regarding Samoa appeared inconsistent with the provisions of the Berlin Treaty. London, April 25.

New Zealand's proposal for the annexation of Samoa has been referred to the Foreign Office. Berlin, April 22. The Vwiwhe Zeitung thinks the wisest

course would be to accept New Zealand's offer to take over the Samoan Islands. The Hanover Courier believes that Germany, in order to protect German interests, will reject New Zealand's proposal for the annexation of Samoa.

Berlin, April 24. The National Zeitung opposes New Zealand's demand for the annexation of Samoa, and refuses to accept Sir Robert Stout's assertion that Samoa desires British rule.