A.—4c.

the receipt of authoritative information, to cordially co-operate with the other Australian colonies in taking such steps as it may deem necessary to secure the object which they are all equally interested in achieving. The Cabinet desires that a copy of this minute be presented to His Excellency, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that copies be also forwarded to the heads of the various Australian Governments. William Bede Dalley, Colonial Secretary's Office, 26th December, 1884. Acting Colonial Secretary.

No. 56. The Premier, Victoria, to the Premier, New Zealand. Be New Guinea, &c, I give you a copy of telegram which I have despatched to the Agent-General for Victoria to-day—viz., " All the colonies deplore the inaction which has resulted in the present fiasco as regards New Guinea; but some of them differ as to the best mode of expressing their dissatisfaction. Each will communicate with its own Agent-General. Queensland has already done so. Protest emphatically on behalf of Victoria and Tasmania against the recognition of the German claims in New Guinea. The state of facts forces us to one or other of the following conclusions : viz., either that Lord Derby has been deceived or that he has deceived us. His supineness or neglect is simply lamentable. If New Guinea be not reclaimed and the New Hebrides preserved the feeling of estrangement will inevitably increase. We feel very bitterly on the subject." Melbourne, 31st December, 1884. James Service.

No. 57. The Premier to the Agent-General. Behalf New Zealand please express extreme regret that Imperial Government should allow Germany make such large annexations in Pacific. Also strongly object France annexing New Hebrides. Keep need of annexing Samoa, Tonga, Hervey Group prominently before Lord Derby. Ist January, 1885. Eobert Stout.

No. 58. [Copy of above to Premier, Melbourne.]

No. 59. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 3rd January, 1885. I have to convey to you our warmest thanks for the trouble you have taken and are taking regarding the Pacific Islands question, as to which your letter marked " Confidential," and numbered 511, gave us very interesting details. 2. In order that you may know what is passing here, I note down some details. You have heard by telegraph of the feelings of surprise and regret that were evoked in all the Australasian Colonies by the annexation of the northern part of New Guinea, with New Ireland, &c, by Germany. It is much to be regretted that the Imperial Government did not, when part of New Guinea was annexed, take the whole island. From Earl Granville's speech at the Mansion House —an extract from which you forwarded —it seems plain that German annexation was effected with the tacit assent of the Foreign Office ; and if, as you state, the intention to annex was unknown to the Colonial Office, the Foreign Office can hardly be said to have been ignorant of it. The telegram sent to you explains our views. 3. We are in hopes that Samoa, Tonga, and the Hervey Group may be obtained for New Zealand. If you look at the map you will see that Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga necessarily go together, and that the control of those groups will not interfere with the possessions of any of the European Powers. 4. You are aware of the fact that a petition from the king (Malietoa), the vice-king, and the leading chiefs and people of Samoa has been forwarded, through His Excellency the Governor, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Throughout the Samoan Group the feeling for annexation to England or New Zealand is exceedingly strong. 5. After the petition had been forwarded two German men-of-war visited Apia, and the king was induced —I believe he says forced—to enter into a treaty with Germany for five years, and to appoint a Government in which German influence will be paramount. This treaty was made recently, without the sanction of the Samoan Parliament, which is, as you are aware, copied from the English, and comprises two Houses. The Parliament and the leading chiefs and people declined to recognize the treaty, and there is considerable ill-feeling against the king. 6. The New Zealand papers forwarded by this mail (see the New Zealand Times of yesterday and to-day) contain telegrams from Auckland relating to this affair. 7. The Government propose sending the " Hmemoa," with the Colonial Secretary, to Samoa, so as to ascertain what the feeling of the people really is, and His Excellency has telegraphed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, explaining what we intend, so that we may learn whether the Imperial Government have any objection. The steamer will not start before the Bth instant, and thus ample time will be given to the Earl of D.erby to stop her going should he consider the proposed visit to the group inadvisable. 3—A. 4c.

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