Highlights of The Independence Celebrations
pp. 38-39 · Read in the full issue
Independence Celebrations
At the end of November, the Samoan Committee re sponsible for the programme of events in Independence Week: (January 1 to 5) had made the following arrangements. They\ could be subject to alteration because of bad weather.
Sunday Night, December 31
(New Year's Eve)
Church Services throughout the nation.
The national motto of Western Samoa is Faavae i le atua Samoa— (“Samoa is founded on God”); and it is thought fitting that religious services should be prominent in these celebrations. Within Samoa are the following sects, mostly Christian, shown in the approximate order of their appearance in Samoa: London Mission Society; Roman Catholic; Methodist; Anglican; Latter Day Saints; Seventh Day Adventists; Congregational Church of Jesus Christ; Jehovah’s Witnesses; Bahai; The Brethren.
Each is being asked to take part in the celebrations.
Monday, January 1, 1962-
Independence Day And New
Year's Day
There will be the following official proceedings at Mulinu’u, commencing at 9 a.m.; A prayer by the representatives of the LMS.
A speech by the representative of United Nations, in which the Trustee ship of United Nations, entrusted to New Zealand, is formally terminated, and the independence of the self governing State of Western Samoa is proclaimed.
A speech by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, in which the Trustee ship is formally surrendered, and the new State is recognised and wel comed.
Speeches by the Heads of State and the Prime Minister of Western Samoa, thanking the United Nations and New Zealand, and accepting the
responsibilities of independence s self-government.
There may be speeches also by representatives of other nationj probably Great Britain, United Staj Germany, The Netherlands, A tralia and Tonga.
At one point in these speeches two flags of New Zealand 2 Western Samoa, which have been ing together before the Fono Hot at Mulinu’u, will be lowered; s then, as the Samoan flag is hois alone, massed choirs will sing 2 Flag of Freedom which is the natioc anthem of Western Samoa.
A memorial, newly erected by !
Government Ex-Pupils Associati will be formally unveiled.
All the foregoing will occupy morning. In the afternoon there T be competitions by teams repress ing the various schools —teams limi to 60 pupils—for prizes rang downwards from £3O.
Tuesday, January 2
In the morning, there will be em tainment for the invited guests, following countries and people w invited to send representatives, most have accepted.
New Zealand: Prime Minister ( and Mrs. J. K. Holyoake); Leader Opposition (Mr. and Mrs. Wat Nash); Minister of Island Territoc (Mr. F. L. Gotz); a representative the Maori people; Secretary of ternal Affairs; Secretary, Islas Territories (Mr. J. McEwen); Dr.- C, Aikman (Constitutional Advisti Mr. C. G. R. McKay (former Sec tary in Samoa.
United Nations OrganisatJ South Pacific Commission; Unr States of America; United Kingdl Australia; French Polynesia; Netlj
The flag of the newly independent West Samoa is red, with white stars on a blue field in the top left corner. The stars are in the form of the southern cross.
Is New Guinea; Australian New nea; West Germany; Kingdom of ga; Fiji Colony; Cook Islands; e Island; Tokelau Group; srican Samoa; United States Trust itories (Micronesia); Hawaii; Guy Powles and Sir Alfred Turn dormer High Commissioners), arties representing the well-known icts of Atua (including Va’a-o oti), Tuamasaga, A’ana, (includ- Aiga-i-le-Tai) and Savaii will ird the visitors the honour of 1010. Carrying large gifts of food ich as kegs of beef, tins of bis ;, sugar—various groups will ap ich, in traditional festive cos ss, and offer their gifts, with old songs and dances, i the afternoon, there will be her schools’ competition, in oan dancing. Prizes range down is from £3O.
Wednesday, January 3
a.m.—A parade of decorated s, put on by the trading firms. a.m.—A race meeting, organised Turf Club. p.m.—A great display of fire cs, organised and presented by Chinese and part-Chinese com ity.
Thursday, January 4
orning—A competition for Brass Is, with prizes ranging downwards i £lOO. (Tonga’s famous brass I will journey to Western Samoa ike part in the celebrations, as a ire of goodwill but will not enter band contest.) 30 p.m.—Grand ball at Vailima, lence of the NZ High Com ioner. Preparations being made Seiaute Club for 600 invited ts.
Friday, January 5
orning—Great programme of itic sports. If the weather is fine, should be most interesting and tacular. utstanding will be a race for ;asi boats—those famous long s made by old-time Samoan ;smen, with 17 or more rowers ;ach side, and moving at extra nary speed. There will be a first i of £2OO, and others ranging nwards from £lOO. nere will be similar competitions Fautasi boats, with 16 seats and ;r— prizes ranging down from ). ompetitions also for: Rowing s (8 oars); Bonito canoes; other >es. fternoon —Programme of athletic ts. yening—A garden party at ima.