Nz Minister In

Samoa

And Cook Is.

THE New Zealand Minister for Ex ternal Affairs, Mr. P. W. Doidge, ac companied by Mrs. Doidge and his secretary (Mr. P. Jeffery) and by Mr. R.

T. G. Patrick, Secretary for New Zealand Island Territories, visited Western Samoa and the Cook Islands between June 1 and June 5.

Mr. and Mrs. Doidge spent May 30 and June 6, 7 and 8 in Fiji, where they were the guests of the Governor. They re turned to New Zealand on June 9.

Following their arrival at the Samoan airport on May 31, the Ministerial party paid a visit to NZ Repatriation Estates at Malifanua.

On June 1, the party was formally wel comed at the Pono House, at Mulinu’u, by the Fautua, members of the Legisla tive Council and the Fono of Paipule, De partmental heads and representative citizens. The High Commissioner, Mr. R.

G. Powles, and the Speaker of the Fono, Anapu, gave cordial greetings to the Min ister and his wife.

Following the kava ceremony, the party moved to the Malae, where there were further addresses by Malietoa Tahuma fili, Leneti, MLA, and Mr. E. F. Paul,

Ml A.

REPLYING, Mr. Doidge said the policy of New Zealand, as guardian of Samoa, was to promote the welfare of the people and assist them towards self government. He emphasised that, in view of the threat from South-east Asia— Communism and materialism—unitv bet ween freedom-loving peoples must be fostered; the two flags flying over Western Samoa were a symbol of that.

The NZ and Western Samoan flags then were raised by Mr. Powles and High Chief Tamasese, respectively, to a salute of 17 guns.

Flag-raising Day (June 1) and King’s Birthday (June 2) were observed with in numerable ceremonies and social events, in all of which the official visitors were prominent.

Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Doidge, on arrival at the airport in Samoa. LOWER LEFT: Mr. R. T. G.

Patrick, Secretary for Islands Territories, who accompanied the Minister. LOWER RIGHT: Mr.

S. M. Clarke, general manager of NZ National Airways Corporation, who was making an official visit to the Territory.