A.—3

24

refused to give satisfaction, and compensation for probable military action [sic] ensued. But the foreign relations of Samoa, especially the equal footing of the three Powers represented there— namely, Germany, England, and America—would not be affected by such intervention. The relations of these three States to Samoa would remain the same in spite of the fall of Malietoa. For some time back Tamasese has ruled as a sort of parallel King, whose authority was virtually recognised by the great bulk of the Samoans themselves, while the Powers have only dealt officially with Malietoa. But to Germany this state of things became intolerable as soon as Malietoa allowed himself to indulge in acts of violence against the German Empire and its subjects."

[Extract from the Times, Tuesday, 13th September, 1887.] Germany and Samoa. Dr. Tanner had on the Paper the following questions : "To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the account received is true—viz., that the German squadron have landed 500 armed men in Samoa, have declared war against Malietoa, the reigning King, and have proclaimed Tamasese, his rival, as king; whether it is true that the former wished to resist, but, owing to a proclamation issued by the English Consul, which declared the English Government would not accept the German nominee (King Tamasese), the late monarch (Malietoa) has not taken action, but has thrown the responsibility of his deposition upon the English Government; and what steps are being taken to prevent undue acrimony and friction with the German local authorities, whose opinion has been enforced by the positive action of a German naval squadron." The honourable member said that, as he saw that Her Majesty's Government were afraid of Germany, he should not put his question. The Speaker.—Order, order. Sir J. Fergusson.—The honourable gentleman has put a question on the Paper, and it is not right that it should remain unanswered. I have already given to the House all the information on the subject possessed by Her Majesty's Government. Her Majesty's Consul has been instructed to observe a strict neutrality. Her Majesty's Government have received assurances from the German Government that the foreign relations of Samoa, especially those with the three treaty Powers, would riot be affected by their action. Dr. Tanner. —Am Ito understand that Her Majesty's Government have cried " Peccavi" to the German Consul ? (Laughter.) The Speaker.—Order, order.

[Extracts from the Times, Wednesday, 14th September, 1887.] French Convicts in the Pacific. To the Editor of the Times. Sib,— 80, Fleet Street, E.C., 12th September. An Australian mail arrived in London this morning, and from the Australasian weekly newspaper of the 6th August I extract the subjoined paragraph, which, I think, will be generally accepted as an ample and timely corroboration of my letters in the Times of the 25th August and the sth September with respect to the New Hebrides question. A concise statement of fact such as is contained in this paragraph may perhaps be more effectual in arousing public opinion in the British Islands to the pressing importance of the great colonial question of the day than a score of the most elaborately-argued of letters or the most trenchant of leading articles. After reading it, I am sure the readers of the Times will say that in my previous communications I have not exaggerated in the slightest degree the danger and the annoyance to which the Australian Colonies are subjected by the presence of ill-regulated French penal settlements in their waters. I am, &c, J. F. Hog an. "We have New Caledonian papers to the 22nd July. They report considerable activity in the mining industry, several vessels having sailed direct for Glasgow with full cargoes of chrome and cobalt. Convicts continue to escape from the penal establishments in greater numbers than ever. As many as twenty-three succeeded in getting away in the course of a single fortnight, and it is not improbable that some of these may succeed in effecting a landing in Australia. Five of these fugitives deserted a mine at Pilou, near Onegoa, and, reaching the coast, seized upon a boat and put out to sea. Four other convicts got away from the gang with which they were working, and made for the shores of the Bay of Pouembot, where they were equally fortunate in meeting with a small craft, of which they took possession, and made for the opening in the reef. Orders have been issued to maintain a sharp look-out along the coast, and it is to be hoped that the fugitives will be intercepted, for it is a well-known fact that the criminals who escape in this way are, almost invariably, hardened desperadoes, who carry their lives in their hands and will stick at nothing."

French Emigrants. Paris, 13th September. M. Etienne, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, in a despatch to the Governors of New Caledonia and Guiana, solicits their co-operation in facilitating immigration into those countries. He admits that hitherto emigrants to the colonies have speedily been discouraged by the first difficulties, and have often had to be shipped back as paupers. He has consequently hesitated to grant passages to farmers impoverished by the phylloxera or agricultural depression. Good results might, however, he thinks, be secured if the Mother-country and the colony gave more assistance, especially as con-vict-labour might be utilised for tillage, road-making, and building. Settlements for five or six hundred persons might be founded in the unoccupied regions, so as to allow at least fifty acres per household. The land might be cleared and the villages built by convicts, and the farms might then be offered to immigrants, who would pay for them by instalments. When the village was