A.—4d

25

what she had taken of New Guinea, if Samoa were given up to her, I telegraphed directing you to protest strongly against any such arrangement. I also, on February 6th, sent the following message to the Premiers of Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, and. to Hon. Mr. Dalley, who was acting during the absence of Hon. Mr. Stuart, the Premier of New South Wales: — " Have received message from our Agent-General, that probably proposal will be made by Germany to give up claims to New Guinea, in exchange for Samoa. We protest most strongly against this proposal; and hope you will also instruct your Agent-General to do so, as, if carried out, the control of the Central Pacific will vest in Germany." Hon. Mr. Service replied that he had instructed the Victorian Agent-General to heartily support you, in protesting against any such exchange; and he added that, in his opinion, it was deplorable such a thing should ever have been thought of. From South Australia, we received assurances of general agreement with Victoria and New Zealand. The Queensland Government instructed their Agent-General to make urgent representations to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that it was of the greatest importance effect should be given to the resolutions passed by the Convention, and that any further departure from those resolutions, with respect to the New Hebrides, Samoa, or Tonga, would cause much dissatisfaction to the Australian Colonies. The reply of Hon. Mr. Dalley was — " Have received no official information of German proposals concerning Samoa, and deem it premature to base protest upon rumors: but, if report be true, we are unable to agree with your view of the situation." This reply of New South Wales seemed to us, to say the least, very peculiar, considering how we helped the Australian Colonies with regard to New Guinea, and after our agreeing to pay our share of the £15,000 required for the purposes of the New Guinea Protectorate. You are well aware that the acquisition of New Guinea by Great Britain was of little or no importance to New Zealand, from a trade point of view, or indeed from any other, save as regards keeping the Pacific free from European complications or their effects. However, in this respect, as well as in some others, New South Wales seems to stand alone ; and we trust that, if this matter should be mentioned again, you will very clearly point out to the Colonial Office that the acquisition of Samoa, and of the other Islands of the Central Pacific, is of as much moment to New Zealand, as the possession of any part of New Guinea can be to Australia. 23. We are not yet aware what is likely to be done with respect to Samoa. If, from foreign relationships, or from questions of expediency or relating to the policy of the British Empire, it is not deemed desirable to annex the group, we hope that some treaty or convention will be agreed to between Great Britain, Germany, and the United States, that will preserve Samoa as neutral territory. It is perfectly clear to us, that Germany has obtained an ascendancy there during the last two or three months; and that, should the King's authority be consequently weakened, there will be danger of civil war in Samoa. Should such happen, and no treaty or convention of the kind indicated have been come to, Germany may claim the right to further interfere—nominally for the protection of its interests in the group, but it would really mean, that Samoa w Tas to become a German possession. We look to the British Government to prevent this. We have offered, as you are aware, to pay the full cost, and to undertake the full responsibility, of managing Samoa. We ask nothing from the British Government, except that she will yield to the joint representations of the Samoan King and people, and of ourselves, and proclaim that Samoa is part of the British Empire. If this cannot be obtained, because of diplomatic engagements, we again urge upon you to represent to the Colonial Office the absolute necessity of some such treaty or convention between the three Powers as I have indicated, and the urgent need there is of keeping one or two men-of-war in the Central Pacific, continually cruising amongst the Islands, and visiting them occasionally. Germany has done this; and haß thereby, in some respects, succeeded in overawing the people. We do not think it creditable to the British nation, that the islanders of the Pacific should be taught that Germany is the more powerful State, and that Great Britain is unable to help them in their difficulties. 24. I desire to say, in conclusion, that no decision has yet been communicated to us, as to whether the Confederation and Annexation Bill passed by the New Zealand Parliament in 1883, is to be assented to by Her Majesty. The reason stated by Lord Derby for not tendering advice on the subject was, that he desired to wait until the question of Australasian federation was settled. We cannot understand what the Bill has to do with such federation, seeing that if it were completed to-morrow, the Federal Council would certainly not attempt to interfere with Samoa or its affairs : but we do urge, more strongly than we have before done, that the group ought to become part of the British Empire. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G. Bobekt Stout. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

Postcript. —After the foregoing letter had been written, I received important documents relating to Samoa. They are : — (I.) Letter from Mr. John Lundon (who has just returned to Auckland, from the group), stating what has recently happened there, and what he believes will happen, unless Samoa is at once annexed to New Zealand. (II.) Copy, and translation, of an Act passed by the Samoan Parliament, for giving effect to such annexation, and appointing Sir G. Grey and Mr. Lundon, agents, with full powers to complete arrangements therefor. (III.) Letter, and translation, from King Malietoa to myself, relative to the Act, &c. and urging that effect be at once given to it. 4—A. 4d.

Appendix XI.

Appendix XII.

Appendix XIII.