THE SAMOAN PETITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6739, 20 September 1883, Page 3

THE SAMOAN PETITION.

(Pbb TJnJtkd Pbess Association.)

Auckland, September 19.

The following is the text of the draft Samoan annexation petition, numerous copies of which have been transmitted by Mr Sherrin to Samoa and England to-day :—

To the Government of the Colony of New Zealand.—The petition of the undersigned hereditary chiefs, heads of tribes, and aboriginals of Samoa or Navigator Islands, in the South Pacific-Ocean, and also of us undersigned Europeans, inhabitants of the said islands, showethT . ,

1. That your petitioners have heretofore viewed with deepest concern the relations existing between the two races, and the unsatisfactory condition of political government and social order, upon which the prosperity of the islands in a great degree depends. < 2. That your.petitioners rejoice to hear that the Legislature of New Zealand have passed a measure to facilitate the annexation to the Colony of New Zealand of any island or islands in the Pacific whose inhabitants may make proposals to that effect to you aa the Government of the said Colony. ' . 3. It' iB firmly believed by your petitioners that if negotiations wero made under the provisions of the enactment and carried on to a. successful issue the evil consequences which have'resulted from the existence of the new stats of affairs in these islands generally, and against which your petitioners most anxiously desire, to provide, would no longer continue. Your petitioners earnestly point out to your Government -the desirability as early as possible of causing the appointment of a Commission or Commissioners to conduct with us, or dome sfit* and proper person appointed by uh, negotiations relative ts the annexation of these. islands to New Zealand. .

•1. Your petitioners do not at this stage think it necessary to enter upon the several grave questions as to the customs and territorial rights of your aboriginal petitioners, as also the establishment of laws and institutions applicable to aborigines'or Europeans with due regard to the just.rights of both races of inhabitants; and generally Buch other important questions, which would naturally have to be considered in arriving at a basis of such annexa : tion, or the terms upon which such annexation, might be satisfactorily concluded; all of which matters would inoro properly arise when the above-mentioned Commission or Commissioners may lje appointed. - Your petitioners therefore most sincerely and respectfully, pray that" your Government will, in accordance with the spirit and intention of the Act passed by the General Assembly of NeW Zealand, listen to the appeal-which wo now make to you, by enabling your petitioners, by annexation to your Colony, to secure to these islands lasting peace and that good erder and government which your Colony enjoys. " And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. • ■