Samoa

New Assembly In

Quarantine Imposes Last-Minute Absence of the NZ Prime Minister

ON the eve of his departure for Western Samoa —where he was to have presided at the opening of the new Assembly and the raising of the new Samoan flag—the Prime Minister ol New Zealand, Mr. Fraser, was held up by unexpected quarantine restrictions, following the sudden recurrence of in fantile paralysis (poliomyelitis).

Meanwhile, the May issue of the “PIM” had announced that the Prime Minister had proceeded to Samoa to open the new Assembly—having assumed that newspaper licence which permits of a lively anticipation of events to come.

Naturally, we much regret the publica tion of an incorrect report. The cere monies took place early in June, as stated—but without the presence of the NZ Prime Minister.

ON June 2, the new Samoan flag was hoisted at the traditional seat of the old Samoan kings, Mulinu’u (western end of Apia), and a new West ern Samoan Legislative Assembly was opened—in which, for the first time, the elected representatives of the Euro peans and Samoans have an absolute majority.

The new flag, and the new Samoan national anthem, signify the new Samoan national consciousness and the beginning of a Samoan self-government —though, for some time, this will still remain under the guidance of the New Zealand Government.

It will be interesting to see how this experiment in self-government, sponsored bv the United Nations’ Trusteeship Coun cil and supported by the New Zealand Government, will work out.

At present, Western Samoa is in a most favourable position for a change in the political set-up, owing to unpre cedented economic prosperity, caused by the high prices of the main products, copra and cocoabeans. This trade has largely increased the revenues of the Government, and raised the standard of living of all communities. How long this favourable state of affairs will continue, nobody knows.

News was received recently that the price of cocoa beans on the USA and English markets has dropped from the all-time high of £270 per ton, f.o.ta., Apia, to £lBO. A similar drop in the price of copra would have an adverse effect on Samoan economy.

The raising of the new Samoan flag (a white cross in a red field, with the five-starred Southern Cross in a blue corner), alongside the New Zealand flag, took place on June 2, coincident with the opening of the new Legislative Assembly.

In the Assembly, the Samoans are re presented by the two Fautua (the Para mount High Chiefs, Tamasese and Mali etoa, who, with the High Commissioner, Colonel F. W. Voelcker, are also mem bers of the new Council of State) and 11 Samoan representatives; while the European community (actually about 5,000 Euronesians as against 70,000 Samoans) are represented by five mem bers (four United Citizens’ party and one Samoan Labour).

The celebrations in connection with these events occupied several days, and some 10,000 schoolchildren from outside districts were brought to Apia. Some 30,000 people assembled and an elaborate sports programme, including boat t and canoe races, took place while traditional Samoan ceremonial dances and songs formed part of the programme.

It was originally intended that the Prime Minister of New Zealand would raise the Samoan flag, while one of the Fautua raised the New Zealand flag.

New Flag Raised—lmpressive

Ceremonies

APIA, June 3.

THE new Samoan flag, indicating that Western Samoa now has been granted a substantial measure of self-government, was formally raised yesterday beside the New Zealand flag, in a series of ceremonies at Mulinu’u (the old Samoan town at the western end of Apia).

Although it was raining, about 12,000 Samoans assembled, as well as large numbers of the European community.

In the absence of the New Zealand Prime Minister (kept away, at the last moment, by a new outbreak of polio myelitis in NZ), the chief part was taken by the Administrator, Colonel F. W.

Voelcker, whose title now has been changed to High Commissioner. Colonel Voelcker arrived at 9 a.m., accompanied by Governor Huber and Commander Raimey, of American Samoa, and the two leading Samoan chiefs (Fautua), Hon. Tupua Tamasese and Hon. Malietoa Tanumafile 11. As the official party arrived the British and the United States anthems were played.

Introductory speeches, emphasising the historical and political importance of the occasion, were made by the High Com missioner and by Hon. Tamasese, on be half of the New Zealand and Samoan communities; various replies were made; and a kava ceremony took place.

After further addresses by the High Commissioner and Hon. Malietoa, at 10 a.m. the Samoan and the New Zea land flags were raised simultaneously— the former by the High Commissioner, and the latter by the Fautua. As the flags were raised, the assembly sang a new Samoan song, “The Flag of the Freedom of Samoa,” and a salute of 15 guns was fired.

A Samoan feast began at 11 a.m.; and from noon until 6 p.m. there were songs and dances by children from the vari ous schools. Festivities continued far into the night.

It was a notable day in the curiously checkered history of Western Samoa.

Mr. J. W. H. Allen, of the Audit De partment, Fiji, has been transferred to Malaya as Senior Assistant Auditor.