160
attention to the Tahitian group, and closer relations have been established between Tahiti and New Zealand. The natives themselves are indifferent as to ownership. They are not particularly friendly to the French, and some of the leading Tahitians, such as Tati Salmon, are openly pro-British in their sympathies, having British blood in their veins and having been educated in England. Mr. Atwater, who spends one half of his time in Papeete and the other half in San Francisco, was asked whether there was any foundation to the report that the French were prepared to yield up the ownership of the group. "There is not the least doubt of it," he said. "The Government has recalled every soldier from there. The fine Government buildings have been abandoned, all the expensive machinery has been taken away; all stores have been removed, and there is every indication that the French are preparing to leave." Mr. Atwater is a large property owner in Tahiti, and was American Consul there for several years. He has an intimate know- ledge of the affairs of the island. He feels confident that the British flag will replace the French flag on the most beautiful of all the islands in the South Pacific.
C4
"
C
3290.
161
No. 16.
The GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received January 28, 1907.)
(Confidential.)
[Answered by No. 19.]
MY LORD,
Wellington, December 18, 1906. I HAVE the honour to enclose a copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister on the subject of the Leeward Islands.
I have, &c.,
Enclosure in No. 16.
PLUNKET,
Governor.
852.
No. 14.
The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA.
(Sent 7.15 p.m., January 19, 1907.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 15.]
TERMS of eighth resolution of Commonwealth Government for Colonial Conference are very general. Should be glad to know whether it is intended to cover any other matters besides those referred to in your confidential despatch of 29th November, and whether any special action on part of His Majesty's Government is invited.-ELGIN.
Annexure.
AUSTRALIA.
Resolution VIII.-Islands of the Pacific.
That in view of the probable completion of the Panama Canal it is desirable that all possible means of strengthening British interests in the Pacific should be adopted.”
2976.
No. 15.
The GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA to the SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 9 a.m., January 24, 1907.)
TELEGRAM.
[Copy to Admiralty, February 4, 1907, Confidential L.F.]
REFERRING to your telegram of 19th January,† Prime Minister states that resolution had special reference to matter dealt with in despatch of 29th November. It was intended to urge that whole route from the canal to Australia should be the subject of constant solicitude, and of any action possible in interests of British ships.--NORTHCOTE.
• No. 12.
† No. 14.
(Confidential.)
MEMORANDUM FOR HIS EXCELLENCY,
Prime Minister's Office,
Wellington, N.Z.,
December 17, 1906.
It has been represented that it would be of advantage to the Empire if the British Government could obtain control of Raiatea and the other islands of the group known as the Leeward Islands, and the Prime Minister therefore respectfully requests that his Excellency will be good enough to bring the matter under the consideration of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with a view to their annexation, or if that is not found to be Rossible, by arrangement with the French Government by purchase or otherwise.
So far back as 1847, by arrangement with France, the British and French Governments agreed to recognise the independence of the Leeward Islands, and in the Convention of 16th November 1887, as part of the negotiations in connection with the New Hebrides, it was agreed that the Declaration of 1847 respecting the Leeward Islands should be abrogated as soon as the French military posts in the New Hebrides were withdrawn. This was done by declaration in Paris on 30th May 1888, and since that date the islands have, I understand, been partially occupied by France, but I cannot find any account of their annexation by that Power.
Raiatea, with its twin island Tahaa, is enclosed by the one extensive Barrier Reef, in which there is a fine deep harbour lying between them, which would be of the utmost value to Great Britain and this Colony as a naval and trading station, particularly in view of the completion of the Panama Canal.
Should any negotiation with France be successful, the Government of New Zealand would be quite prepared to accept the responsibility of administering these islands, in the same manner as it does in the Cook and other islands.
J. G. WARD.
3292.
No. 17.
The GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received January 28, 1907.) [Answered by No. 19.]
(Confidential.)
MY LORD,
Wellington, December 19, 1906. WITH reference to my confidential despatch of the 18th December,* on the subject of the Leeward Islands, I have the honour to enclose a copy of a memorandum which I have to-day received from my Prime Minister with reference to the future administration of Tahiti.
I have, &c.,
PLUNKET,
Governor.
No. 16.
E 45018.
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