A.—2a

Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LABOURERS IN NAVIGATOR ISLANDS (ALLEGED CRUELTIES TO).

DESPATCH PROM THE SECRETARY OP STATE. [In continuation of A.-6, Sess. 1., 1876.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Robinson. (No. 39.) r-SiR, — Downing Street, 31st July, 1879. I [duly received the Despatch of the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand (No. 9, of the Ist of March), transmitting printed copies of a memorandum drawn up by Sir George Grey respecting the alleged cruelties to Polynesian labourers on Mr. Cornwall's plantation in Samoa. I caused the attention of the Marquis of Salisbury to be drawn to the suggestion contained in the twenty-second paragraph of that memorandum, to the effect that persons permanently or temporarily holding the position of Consul or Acting-Consul should not be allowed to be connected with the labour traffic, and I have the honor to acquaint you that His Lordship has expressed concurrence in that view, and that an instruction has accordingly been addressed to Her Majesty's Consuls in the Pacific. I have, &c, M. E. Hicks Beach. Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

By Authority 1 Geoboe Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79.

■ Price 3d.]