The Russians?

And Where Are The Russians?

In Apia, in November, a special Government committee had ear marked all available accommodation in town in readiness for the big influx of distinguished visitors invited to the Independence celebrations.

The official visitors include the NZ Prime Minister, Mr. Keith Holvoake and his wife. Germany will be repre sented by the German Minister in NZ, Dr. H. Noehring; the Nether lands by the Netherlands Minister in NZ, Baron Bentinck von Schoolhafen.

There are other representatives from all parts of the Pacific.

However, the Russians don’t look like being there officially, PI M’s publisher, Mr. R. W. Robson, reported from Apia: I was interested in those Russians, so I asked West Samoa’s Prime Minister Mataafa: “Have any of the Communist nations represented on the UN Trusteeship Council indicated that they are coming to your ceremonies?”

The Prime Minister said that, as far as he knew, they had not.

I said that was strange. In season and out, at the Trusteeship Council and UN Assembly, the Communists —especialy the Russians—had yelled for early independence for Samoa.

Mataafa said that invitations had gone generally to Samoa’s neighbours around the Pacific, and the nations interested in the South Pacific Com mission.

“But Germany is coming. Germany is not in any of those categories.”

Mataafa, poker-faced, said that Germany had a special interest—this was a former German colony.

I said I was sure that the Russians would have shown a lively interest in this occasion. It was strange.

Mataafa, still poker-faced, said it was. s£ * * From other sources, it is reported that: • Soviet Russia would have accepted an invitation to the celebra tions, if one had been forthcoming. • A Russian survey ship is cruis ing in the South Pacific—she was in Suva in November. • Some observers would not be surprised if the Russian survey ship appeared quietly in Apia Harbour about New Year’s Eve, to allow one or two high official personages to attend the important ceremonies at Mulinuu on January 1.