A.—6

16

No. 8. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 25th July, 1892. I have the honour to enclose an address to your Excellency from the Federal Parliament of these islands. The occasional visit of one of Her Majesty's ships, for which they asked in the address, would be very welcome to all the Natives in these islands, and give life to their strong feeling of loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen, and attachment to the flag that protects them. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. British Eesident.

Enclosure. To His Excellency the Eael of Glasgow, Governor of New Zealand: Long may you live, with God's blessing. We the Parliament of Cook Islands, have just heard of your arrival in New Zealand as the Governor of that country. May New Zealand prosper under your rule, and may you and your wife and family live long and have all the happiness this world can give. We wish to let you know our affection for Her Majesty the Queen, and our love for the flag which she has given to us for our protection in these islands. We are now one people, and this is the Parliament that the seven islands have sent to make laws for us all. It is the second year that we have met; and we now understand the good work that is being done for us by the British Eesident, Mr. Moss, who was sent to show us the way. We ask of you, Lord Glasgow, to send us a man-of-war sometimes that we may show our love for the Queen and her people. Enough. From the Parliament of Cook Islands, and signed by its order. Tepou-o-te-Eangi, Earotonga, 9th July, 1892. Chairman.

No. 9. Mr. P. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 29th July, 1892. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that just before the departure of the steamer " Eichmond " for Auckland, on the 26th instant, I heard that Mr. J. P. Gore Martin (who left by the " Eichmond "), carried with him a document, purporting to be an authority to himself from the " Government of Earotonga " to import labourers from other islands in the Pacific, under contract to work on plantations here. 1. I at once made inquiry, and found that such a paper had been obtained only on the morning of the steamer's departure, and that it had been immediately registered in the Eegistry of Deeds in the original Maori, and without any English translation. I may observe that registration here is only for the better security of deeds, and does not give them any legal privilege or validity. 2. The history of the case will, I think, be found sufficiently clear from the following papers which I have the honour to enclose : (1) An English translation of the registered document; (2) my letter to Tepou, 27th July ; (3) Tepou's reply, 27th July; (4) my letter to Mr. Exham, 27th July ; (5) my reply to Tepou, 27th July ; (6) Mr. Exham's reply to me, 28th July; (7) my letter to Mr. Nicholas, 28th July ; (8) Mr. Nicholas's reply, 28th July; (9) my letter to Mr. Martin, 28th July. 3. Ido not know if Mr. Martin took with him a translation of the document. That which I have enclosed for your Excellency's information may be depended upon as correct. As Mr. Martin must apply to your Excellency, or to the High Commissioner, for a license before employing any vessel to obtain labourers, I presume he must have taken a translation of some kind with him. 4. Judge Tepou sees the blunder into which he has been led, and is not likely to be so misled again. Old ways must occasionally clash with new, scarcely yet a year in existence. Tepou is a man of high rank, and of brains and good feeling. I have found, and hope long to find him, an ardent and valuable helper in the establishment of a systematic Government in these Islands. 5. No Executive Government has yet been formed in Earotonga. Mr. Martin was aware of this. The Earotonga Council makes laws for the whole island. In each of the three divisions the Ariki of the division still rules, subject to those laws. Local jealousies have prevented the formation of a single Executive for the island, but I hope that they will be gradually overcome, as they have already been in some other of the islands of the Federation. 6. On the main subject I may be permitted here to state that the question is one of the greatest importance to the future of this people. Immigration is urgently needed, for the existing population is certainly not increasing. But the islands are small, and few colonists would be content with the area that could be allotted to each. On the other hand, the soil is extremely fertile, and the chief product (coffee) of great value. The immigration of suitable people is a subject on which I have had the honour to write in previous despatches. I still look to such immigration for a more vigorous life in these islands. 7. To bring labourers under contract, to be returned to their own islands at the end of a term, is a different matter, and requires very serious consideration. I believe that it could only be properly done in Government vessels, officered by persons directly responsible to Government. The labourers must not only come voluntarily; they must be of good character, and bring a fair proportion of women with them. The introduction of heathen natives in any number would also