SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25549, 17 July 1948, Page 7

SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE

I GOVERNOR GENERAL I IN SAMOA ISLANDERS’ HOSPITALITY | (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) APIA, July 15. More than 3000 children of Western I Samoa formed both audience and entertainers for the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Frey berg > and Lady Freyberg to-day. In the grounds or Malifa School, on the outskirts of Apia, choirs of children and gaily dressed I parties of dancers performed before • their Excellencies. Several of the I songs were written for the occasion. |. The Governor-General said he regarded the gathering as one of the most important he had attended during his South Pacific cruise. The children , to whom he spoke were the future I leaders of Samoa, and he would likp to impress upon them that good government rested upon a well-trained intellect. It was their duty to make the best opportunity of their chance of getting a proper education. : The gratitude and affection of the , Samoan people towards New Zealand were symbolically expressed in the oratory and ancient ritual accompany- . ing the rarelv-perlormed ceremony ot the ‘’King’s Kava,” in honour of Sir Bernard Freyberg. at Apia yesterday. On the now historic meeting ground. ' where only a few weeks ago the new Samoan flag was hoisted alongside the i New Zealand ensign for the first time, ' his Excellency was received with marks of respect that in the Samoan tradition are reserved for men of the highest distinction • The Vice-Regal party will rei embark in the cruiser Bellona to-mor--1 row morning for the Tokelaus. a re--1 mote group of atolls administered by ! Western Samoa. The cruiser will then 'go to Suva, where their Excellencies will end their cruise on July 22 and return to Auckland on the same day 1 by air.