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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1514, 7 March 1901, Page 47

Saturday’s “ Lyttelton Times ” cost--tained the following from its Wellington correspondent—- “ I understand from information received that another island cruise of the Tutanekai is not in contemplation, but ..in actual preparation. It is the sequel to the expedition at the close of the last session of Parliament. The Parliament passed resolutions affirming the desirability of annexing Rarotonga, Palmerston, Suwarrow, Penrfcyn and 'various other islands situated north-east from 1600 to 2ai}o miles from Auckland. The' process in these c-ases is for the islands to be first annexed to the Empire, and then, und •r; the Colonies Extension of Boundarieu Act, of 1895, to be handed over to this colony by letters patent. The first part was performed by the Governor in the Mildura in October and November last, the second will fee perfomed presently in the presence of the Premier. 1 said be would go in the. Tutanekai, but I think it not improbable that the Mildura will not be far off. The trip will ■ be, 1 understand, begun shortly. It has been the theme of adverse criticism that the second part of the customary programme hag not been carried out sooner. The groAvth of Australian federal interests was supposed to have upset the New Zealand apple-cart in this matter, ami in opposition circles the supposed snub to the New Zealand Premier was regarded with complacency. The news I have supplied will place a different complexion on the matter, by showing , that the original intention is to be carried out before the New Zealand Parliament meets.” When questioned by a “Times” reporter on Sunday, tho Premier said that the information in question was all news to him.