Western Samoa Achieves Independence

With Colourful Ceremonies

APIA, January 1,19 i The lowering of the New Zealand flag, which has flown in WesU Samoa for more than 40 years, and the raising of the Western Same flag was the highlight of the ceremonies bringing independence to former New Zealand territory today.

THE two flags had flown together on a single flagpole before the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr.

K. Holyoake, brought down the NZ flag; shortly afterwards High Chiefs Malietoa and Tamasese, Joint Heads of State, together hoisted the Western Samoa flag to the strains of Western Samoa’s national anthem.

The swearing-in of the Heads of State by the retiring Chief Justice of Western Samoa, Judge C. C.

Marsack, followed and so did the speeches, usual to such an occasion.

Mr. Holyoake said: “Samoa, ancient in its traditions and customs, is be ing reborn as a sovereign state. New Zealand, the former administering authority, is laying down its trust.

“The United Nations, which has played a formative role in bringing Western Samoa to independence, has completed its task.”

On a more practical note he told the people that as a symbol of the continuing concern of New Zealand for the well-being of the Samoan people he had asked the Western Samoan Government to join with New Zealand in a new scheme of ad ministrative assistance.

“My Government,” he said, “is willing, for a period of five years, to contribute up to £45,000 annually to such a scheme which will help Western Samoa strengthen its admin istrative system and prepare for the many onerous tasks which will con front you.”

High Chief Tamasese replied, thanking the New Zealand Govern ment for what it had done for Western Samoa, and urging the people to support the new Government.

Later this morning, the first P ment of the independent stal Western Samoa was opened h] Joint Heads of State, the Malietoa and the Hon. Tamases< five European members of the sembly, in their tropical suits, ■ greatly outshone by the Samoan bers in traditional dresses of 1 The morning’s events were wa by many distinguished guests ii ing Prince Tungi of Tonga, the ] of the Opposition in New Ze; Mr. W. Nash; the Australian ister for Territories, Mr. Hasluck, who was accompany Vice-Admiral Sir John Collins, tralian High Commissioner in and Mauri Kiki, a pathologist hospital in Port Moresby, who sented the people of P-NG.

Dr. Dwight Heine, Chairm; the Council of Micronesia, wa; there, representing the US Territory of Micronesia; and fessor J. W. Davidson, one c architects of the new state’s < tution, was a special guest.

Weather during today’s cerer could only be described as p About two weeks before the inds ence date the weather in Samo warm and sunny, but on New Eve it broke with heavy show This morning was bleak and was every sign of more rai though there were only a few during the ceremonies at Mulii Prince Tungi stole the shov ing the ceremonies. When the of rain came down he unfol large umbrella, obviously of Ja] manufacture, which also sh< the people sitting close to hin

The flag of the new Independent State of Western Samoa, now flies alone, instead of alongside that of New Zealand as it had since it was designed over 10 years ago.