L—3

1886. NEW ZEALAND.

FEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, SAMOA, TONGA, AND RAROTONGA, AND TO THE DESIRE OF FIJI TO BE INCORPORATED WITH NEW ZEALAND.) [In continuation of A.-4d* and of A.-4a**, 1885.]

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

No. 1. The Premier to the Agent-General. Parliamentary Committee sitting re Samoa, Fiji: Any information or proposal ? 11th August, 1885. ___ ______™ Robert Stout.

No. ± The Agent-General to the Premier. Pacific Islands: Negotiations Germany still pending, but fast nearing final stage. You may inform Committee possible acquire Samoa if willing purchase German interests reasonable terms. Supposing this principle settled, shall be asked visit Berlin before position defined. Recommend speedy decision, because much hangs thereon at this moment, including question with France, and future policy three Powers. 11th August, 1885. F. D. Bell.

No. 3. The King of Samoa to the Premieh. Sir, — Mulinuu, Samoa, 11th August, 1885. I received your letter of the 2nd of April, in answer to my letter taken to you by Mr. J. Lundon, and great was my joy thereat. And now there is no peace of mind from our anxiety to learn of a good result of that consultation between Germany and England, that our petition to Her Majesty the Queen may be granted. I desire to inform your Honour that this thing—our petition—was not done in darkness or in doubt. No ; our petition was sent with a clear knowledge of the evil that was coming upon us. It was done from true love for my country, which was in great consternation at the evil tidings. There is another thing about which I give you information: it is the rebellion which has been caused by some unwise people, the consequence of the exciting conduct of Mr. Weber, the manager of some German property in Samoa. Hence the continuance of the disturbance to the present time. But I continue to restrain myself, in consequence of the advice of the Consul, and of my love to my people, lest they be destroyed, and also from the desire to know the result of the consultation. But the chief thing which we desire is that our petition be granted. I also beseech your Honour and His Excellency the Governor that we together petition Her Majesty the Queen that a ship of war be sent at once and stationed at Apia. It may be that a settlement of the differences with the rebels would be the result. I have, &c, Malietoa, The Hon. Eobert Stout, Premier, New Zealand. King of Samoa.

No. 4. The Premier to F. H. Peichard, Esq. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 18th August, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing a supplementary list of signatures to the petition for the incorporation of Fiji with New Zealand, I—A. 3.

A.-4a*,'85,N0.7,