SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR WESTERN SAMOA

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1948, Page 5

SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR WESTERN SAMOA

First Legislative Assembly Takes Over Control P.A. WELLINGTON, June 3. Confidence that members of the Legislative Assembly of- Western Samoa would approach their duties with a will and determination to give of their best, and to apply themselves wholeheartedly to c the task of making laws for order and good government of the territory, was expressed by the Prime Minister and Minister for Island Territories, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, m a message read at the opening of the Assembly to-day. Mr Fraser also expressed regret that he was unable to attend the ceremony because of the poliomyelitis restrictions taken to prevent spread of the disease to Western Samoa. After referring to an “epoch-making ceremony” when the new flag of Western Samoa was hoisted alongside the flag of New Zealand, Mr Fraser said that great power and great responsibilities had been placed in the Assembly’s hands. “The Government of New Zealand, as administering authority under the trusteeship provisions of the United Nations Charter, is reposing confidence in you, and the Government of New Zealand trusts that its confidence will be fully merited. I feel certain that the collective wisdom of members of the Council will ensure this result: That you will always uphold the dignity of the Assembly of which you are the first members, and that you will give equally just treatment to all those people who call Western Samoa their home”? Under the trusteeship agreement applying to Western Samoa, New Zealand had among other things undertaken to promote political, economic, social and educational advancement of the inhabitants in that territory, ana their progressive development towards self-government or independence, as might be appropriate to the circumstances. New Zealand had demonstrated in a practical way her intention to honour that undertaking.