The Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1962. First Tilings First In Western Samoa

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29713, 5 January 1962, Page 8

The Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1962. First Tilings First In Western Samoa

New Zealand’s offer of help to Western Samoa in strengthening the administrative and educational services of the new State should be valuable; and its acceptance is further evidence of the good sense of Sarnoan leaders. Though £ 125.000 a year is small in relation to the New Zealand Budget, it is a substantia] amount to such a tiny, undeveloped country. The money has been wisely allocated, because the training of civil servants and the enlightenment of the electorate are the first essentials in establishing a modem democratic nation, as tragic experience elsewhere has shown. New countries sometimes seek foreign aid for “ glamorous ” but quite unsuitable projects—a motorway that carries practically no traffic, for example. The Government of Western Samoa has shown better sense already in putting first things first.

In spite of the prestige that it might expect from membership of the United Nations—with other nations wooing its vote—Western Samoa has realised that it cannot yet afford to play at world politics, in which it has no real interests. Membership of specialised United Nations agencies is another matter; it costs less and will give practical advantages. Such becoming modesty has not been common among the newly independent peoples, some of which are no more able to afford the luxury of diplomatic missions in Manhattan and have much less to contribute to international debate than the Samoans. When Western Samoa is ready to take its place alongside the older States it will be prepared to do so. In the meantime it will not have skimped on the foundations of nationhood or on the welfare of its people.