THE UNION GROUP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16710, 21 April 1925, Page 10

THE UNION GROUP.

GOVERNAIENT BY NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON, last night

Some time ago the New Zealand Government was asked by His Alajesty the King to take over control of the Union Group, near Samoa. At the time this announcement was made by Sir Francis Bell he pointed out that the administration of these islands would relieve the British Exchequer of the charge upon it. , The matter lias since been considered by the New Zealand Government, the principal question to decide being whether the Union Group should he made part of New Zealand or whether they should be administered from New Zealand and Samoa by the New Zealand Government under the authority of tho British Government. On Saturday Sir Francis Bell stated that Cabinet had decided that the group should not be added to the boundaries of New Zealand, but they should be governed by New Zealand under the direction of His Majesty’s Government. The duty of preserving peace, order, and good government in the group would therefore he transferred by His Alajesty to the Government of New Zealand. It will be the duty of the New Zealand Parliament now to make laws for the government of the Union Group, which lies north of Samoa and consists of five clusters of islets. The area of. the group is about seven square, miles, and the population about 1000 natives.'