Samoa and New Zealand.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5278, 7 April 1885, Page 4

Samoa and New Zealand.

THE ANNEXATION ACT. The schooner Pleetwing, which arrived lately in Auckland from Apia, Samoa, brought political intelligence of great importance affecting the relations of New Zealand and Samoa. "We need nofc recapitulate, says the Herald, how the Germans landed a party from a inan-of--war, and hoisted the German flag over Apia. By their action they have incurred the dislike of King Malietoa, who is desirous of having Samoa under British rulo, or united to New Zealand. A number of the chiefs were opposed to the rule of King Malietoa, and it has been stated that the Germans are aiding and advising them. It was arranged that several of the most influential chiefs should come to New Zealand with Mr Lundon, but at the last moment, just when they were embarking, the British Deputy-Consul, Mr Church .yard, interfei-dd, and persuaded them to remain. The Samoan Parliament, however, passed an Act unanimously declaring Samoa to be annexed to New Zealand, and appointing Sir George Grey and Mr Lundon to act as their agents in dealing with the New Zealand Government. The following are copies of letters on this subject, and it will be seen thafc several of them wero written before the interference of the English Consul prevented the chiefs from coming to New Zealand : — Apia, Samoa, Feb. 10, 1885.— T0 Mr John Lundon, Samoa : Sir, — You are aware of the action that I and my Government have taken lately with reference to annexation of Samoa to New Zealand, and thafc by your desire my Government has passed a Bill for that purpose. I and my people, are entrusting the members of the deputation to your care until they return to Samoa. We all desire that you will act and give your advice in connection with bur Bill, as you know all our difficulties and troubles here with Mr Weber and the large German firm. As my people and Government have great confidence in you, and we feel sure that you will leave nothing undone that canbe done to annex Samoa to New Zealand, and to extricate us from our German enemies, and I and my ppople will pray for your success and a long stay among us. — Your friend (signed) Malietoa, King of Samoa. Apia, Samoa, Feb. 10, 1.885.— T0 Sir George Grey, Kawau, Auckland, New Zealand : — Sir, — ft is the wish Qf my Government and myself thafc you will be good enough to act and advise my deputation to the Government of New Zealand in accordance with the Bill my Parliament has just passed unanimously, a copy of which I forward with this letter. The reason I and my Government have asked you to interfere in our troubles is becauso we are in trouble through the action of the Germans here, and thafc Mr J. Lundon has told us that you take a great interest in the Pacific Islands people ; that you mado large reserves for their use in New Zealand when you were Governor there; that you got the Annexation Bill of the Pacific Islands passed by the New Zealand Parliament, and that your knowledge of forming Governments is greater than that of any other man in the Southern Hemisphere. We also see your name in the newspapers .as being a great chief, and that you have .always been a kind father to natives of the different islands. I also ask you in the name of myself, my Government, and my people, to be a father to my deputation, and to givo them your advice and experience for the purpose of giving effect to your own and our Bill, with a view of making the Samoans and New Zealanders one people ; and may God preserve you to live long and see the good that you have begun accomplished is tho prayer of your true friend (signed), Malietoa, King of Samoa. Apia, Samoa, Feb. 10, 1885.— T0 the Honorable Kobert Stout, Premier, New Zealand, and to the other Ministers of your Government: Talofa, — My advisei-3 and myself aro unanimous in sending a deputation to your Government, with a view of arranging with your Government re annexation of the Samoan Islands. I send the deputation on account of a letter written by yourself to Mr John Lundon, bearing the dato of Nov. 15, 188-1. The deputation I send you consists of the leading members of my Government, and Seumanu, the Governor of Apia; also a secretary and interpreter. The names and the rank of the members of the deputation are as follows : — Ist, Pau, chief of Safotulafai ; 2nd, Lupeamauu, chief of Atua ; 3rd, Asiata, chief of Satupaitea ; 4th, Molioo, chief of Atua ; sth, Su, chief of Palauli. I have full confidence in your Government dealing liberally with the Samoan people. We have also appointed a3 our agents Sir George Grey and Mr John Lundon, in accordance with your letter of the above date. The deputation and agents have all the authority thafc my Government and myself can give them, we all having a strong desire to be annexed to New Zealan 1, and to be ono people. I hope God will strengthen you and your Government to support the Bill, and to give it full force, a copy of which I forward to you with this letter. The original will be given to you by our agents. No more from your loving friends.— (Signed) Mamktoa, King of Samoa. Apia, Samoa, Feb. 10, 18S5.— We, the undersigned, can read and write the Samoan languages, and ]ia,ve boon aching as interpreters" between Mr J. Lundon and the Samoan Parliament and King Malietoa, during* the last eighfc days. We feel sure that the King and his Government were vory desirous to send a deputation to Auckland, New Zealand, to -confer with the Government there n- annexation. But the King*--.:.! th;* Sam-tun Pailiament, t'.uough us, told Mr Lundon that fcho English Consul said he would be very angry if a deputation was sent to New Zealand, and that the Queen's protection (with that of the other Powers) would make Samoa an independent Colony, like Fiji, which

they did not want, and that the man-of-war, the Miranda, would be back in a short timo with news for them, " and tnat they were not to go until she returned." Lauati, Speaker of the House, said to the Consul that they had passed a law annexing Samoa to New Zealand, and that they had written to the Government 6aying they were going up, and had put their names to the paper, and that they told him if they did not go it would look as if they had lied. The English Consul advised them not to go, and said, " Never mind the letters and papers ; let them take their chances." This took place on Saturday morning, Feb. 11, in the English Consul's office. Present : Lauati, the Speaker of the Parliament, and Taliava. The above is a true and correct statement. — W. H. Yandall, S. V. M'Kknzie. Apia, Samoa, Feb. IG, 1885. — To Mr John Lundon, Apia, Samoa : My love to you, and the love of all my Government and the Samoa people. The reason I write you this letter is to let you know that the deputation of the Samoa Parliament is not poing to New Zealand this time, for the English Consul has asked me not to send thcuito New Zealand just yet, that the mail has brought news that America, Germany, and England are to meet and settle about Samoa and annexation, and that tho man-of-war the Miranda has left here for Fiji, and that she is to be back, with two others, in eight or nine days from now. The English Consul has sent me this message this evening by Leapai, when the deputation was all ready to go on board. You must not be disappointed or angry with us for taking tho English Consul's advice, as we are weak, and want his and the Queen's assistance. I will prepare a letter for Sir Goorge Grey and yourself to act as our agents with the New Zealand Government, in accordance with our Bill, which wo passed on Feb. 9, annexing ourselves to New Zealand ; and I pray God to protect you, and bring you safe back to Samoa, for 1 and my people will be anxious to see you, and know from you and the New Zealand Government the result of our Bill. No more at present from your friend, Malietoa, Le Tupu o Samoa. Apia, Samoa, Feb. 17, 1885.— T0 Sir George Grey and VLv John Lundon : Gentlemen, — This is my authority to you both, or either of you, to act on behalf of me and my Government, as my or our agents for the purpose of arranging with the Govornment of New Zealand to give full force to our Annexation Act of Feb. 9, which my Government passed unanimously, and that Sir George Grey, and Mr John Lundon have all the power that the Annexation Bill gives the deputation to sign and seal all papers that may be necessary to give force to our Annexation Bill, and to have all powers that the 2nd clause of thafc Bill gives to the deputation and agents. Signed and sealed in the presence of Lauati, Speaker of the Parliament, and William Hill Yandall, late interpreter to the Municipality Court of Apia. — Malietoa, Lo Tupu o Samoa. Witness (1), Lauati, X his mark ; do, (2), W. H. Yandall.