INDEPENDENCE IN W. SAMOA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29177, 11 April 1960, Page 16

INDEPENDENCE IN W. SAMOA

“Only Achieved By Planning”

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 10.

There was only one solution to the problem of dependent peoples and that was complete political independence, said Mr G. R Powles, retiring High Commissioner for New Zealand in Western Samoa, in Auckland today.

Mr and Mrs 'Powles had been in Samoa for 11 years. Mr Powles will shortly take up an appointment as High Commissioner in India. He said the beginning of selfgovernment in Samoa last October had been possible only because of a series of planned steps. “We were criticised from all sides for going too fast,” Mr Powles said, “but Samoa probably will end up as the tortoise in the political field. I think the tortoise will get there but never knows where the hares will jump next.”

January 1, 1962, was now being talked about as Samoan independence day, said Mr Powles. A constitution was being written and was now nearly complete. Samoa would have difficulties, he said, and it would be necessary for the Government to take wise but bold steps towards economic development—that was never easy for a new government. The island territory, particularly in matters of education, would need this country’s help for years to come. Samoa was economically sounder than it had ever been and had great potential for development in the production of tropical products. The speed of the take-over of the government by the Samoan people had been possible only because of prior planning. It was probable unique to have achieved that end without violence. “Samoa,” Mr Powles said, “progressed speedily but it never bolted.”