TONGAN ANNEXATION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 59

TONGAN ANNEXATION

RUMOURS DENIED BY THE BRITISH CONSUL.

AUCKLAND, March 30

Tonga advices received by the Manapouri show that the statue of the late Queen Victoria was unveiled on 17th March. Mr Hamilton Hunter, the British Consul, in the course of a speech on the occasion, said he was aware that reports were circulated to the effect that the British Government was about to annex Tonga. Such reports were circulated with the object of making mischief between the Tongans and the British Government, and the Tongans should not listen to them. Mr Hunter added—“We do not intend to hoist the British flag. We do not want your country. The last treaty signed was the outcome of an arrangement between Britain and countries with whom you were already in treaty relations. Britain then nndertook certain responsibilities, among them that of protecting you in the event of these countries calling you to account for your treaty obligations. Complaints have been sent Home in reference to the way you have carried out your part of the contract. How you will be able to answer these complaints is not for me to say. I came here for three years, and my time is up. Whatever I have done, however you may regard my official conduct, I Assure you I have done my duty. Whether I stay here for another three years I am not in a position to say.-” [Mr Hamilton Hunter, the British Consul in the Friendly Islands, was formerly Acting-Consul in Samoa. He was created C.M.G. in 11)00. He is fifty-eight years of age.]