THE POSITITION IN SAMOA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7159, 26 January 1885, Page 3

THE POSITITION IN SAMOA

The Samoa correspondent of tbo Auckland Herald, in forwarding the copies of the petitions recently published, writes voder date Decembai 31 :—

" As the subject of annexation is occupying I a prominent position in public opinion at the tii-esen'i time, I think it but right the people of New Zealand should know the feelinga of the natives of these islands in that direction, and tho meana they have takon to give expression to tboir views. As the natives of Samoa, through their unanimous petition, have oxprosscd a strong desire to become a part of the Briti-ih Empire, either with separate autonomy oraa part ot New Znaland, I think it but right that the people of Now Zralaud should also know whut means ara being used by Germany to prevent the natives accomplishing their wish. There can be no doubt that it would b3 of great advantage to the so inlands if tfmy were joined socially and politically to New Zealand; and I baiieve the lattor would also derive much benefit by the annexation. Direct steam communication with New Zealand would, I balievo, increase the value of property here, aud wonderfully develop the trade with that country. In ordor that you may understand a little better how matters stand hero I will give you a short account of what I havo learned politically since my arrival in Samoa, and try and give you a sort of idea of the Government we have. Apia, including a radius of several miles around it, is called a borough, and ia governed by a municipal council, composed of tho Engliah, American, and German consuls, and a nominee of oach, making six altogether. These aro tho lawmakers of tho town, aud the laws are put into execution by an English magistrate, appointed by the consuls, and a Samoan judgo, appointed by tho King. These two, sitting together, decide all cases that originate within the municipal boundary ; outside of that thoy have no jurisdiction. Any crimes committed outside that boundary are judged by the various consuls, according to the nationality of the plaintiffs or prisoners. If Samoans, they are punished by judgOß appointed by the King. The King, Vice-king, Taimua (or Upper House), and Faipule (or Lowor House) are the legislative bodies of the country. The country i 3 divided into provinces, and iv each province thero is a governor appointed by the King, In each province there is a deliberate assembly, something like tho Provincial Council system that existed in New Zealand. Each province has also get a judge, and there is a Chief Judge who resides at tho seat of Government. The members of the Taimua are appointed by the King, aud the members of the Faipule are supposed to be elected by the people. Tho 'natives are not only willing, but vory anxious to be annexed by Great Britain. They hato the Germans, and are vory much afraid of being taken possession of by them. It seems that the King of Samoa sent a letter to the Queen of England about a year ago offering her tbe country, but aa it waa ouly signed by himself, and consequently did not convey the expressed wish of his principal chiefs, no reply waa sent to it. A rumour-spread, I believo, by tho Germans —getting abroad a little while after wo arrived here, that Germany was about to annex these islands, put tho natives in a great Btate of ferment. They at once set about getting up a petition to the Queen to extend her rule over them, and protect thorn from Germany. This petition, the copy of which is enclosed, was unanimously signed by the King, Vice-king, and all the members of his Parliament. Aa they thought Germany waa going to take immediate action, thoy determined to send it through the Governor of New Zealand, and to ask him to wire home that he had received it, and alao asking him to uso tho influence of himself and Government with the Home Government to get their prayer granted. In the meantime the Germans were not idle, Tuey had two men-of-war in the harbour, and gave out that thero was another expected. The German Consul got up this German-Samoan agreement (oopy enclosed), and took it down to the King and Parliament, and read it to them, and demanded their reply, yea or no, next evening. They asked him to leave a copy with them, ao that they might consider it, but he refused to let them have a copy until thoy had Bigned the document. Hints were thrown out indirectly that if they refused to sign the two German men-of-war that were lying in the harbour would do something desperate. The poor King did not know what to do. If he refused he was not sure that England would protect him, especially aa they had nover acknowledged receipt of hia letter offering them the country. If he signed he was afraid the English Government would think him unworthy of trust, signing an agreement like this, granting such privileges to Germany, afier signing a week before a petition for British annexation. In this dilemma he probably did the wisest thing—namely, to sign, and then write a letter to the Queen stating that he signed through fear of immediate German annexation if he refused. As soon as the Germans found out that such a numerouslysigned petition for annexation had been 3ont to the Queen they were in a great rage. The Consul even went so far as to tell a native chief that ho would aot up another king in the place of Malietoa, and make treaties with him, He thought the chief he was talking to waa a friend of tho Germans, and that he could trust him; but there he was decaived, for the chief went direct and told several Britishers what the German Consul had threatened to do. Their next move was to Bend the man-of-war, the Albatross, off poat haste to Auckland —no doubt to telegraph to Germany the signing of the agreement and the nature of it. She left here early in the morning, and did not give any notice to the post-office that she waa going to Auckland, Had it not been that they did not want any of the Britishers hero to know that they were going to New Zealand, they would have notified the postoffice, aa they nearly always do. I could not help smiling when I read a paragraph in the Auckland paper stating that the German man-of-war Albatrosa was in the harbour, from Samoa, to recruit the health of the officers and men. Ido not think think the reply from Germany is very encouraging, as the man-of-war has b6en here for several days, and as yet there are no steps being taken to form the GermanSamoan State Council. You ace we have lively timea of it politically. I dare say the reading of it will weary you a good deal. The natives were highly delighted to hear that the New Zealand Government had voted £1500 to subsidise steam communication with their islands. They are planting in anticipation of a ateamer'a arrival. There ia no doubt Bteam communication would develop trade with New Zealand. The uncertainty of the arrival of vessel here compels the storekeepers to keep very much larger stockß than would be requisite for the trade if they could depend upon goods coming regularly. I believe Samoa is destined to become a part of New Zealand."