Trinidad Newest Independent State

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29916, 1 September 1962, Page 11

Trinidad Newest Independent State

(N .Z P.A .-Reuter—Copyright)

PORT OF SPAIN (Trinidad), August 31. A new red-white-black flag fluttering to a masthead at the Red House, the seat of Government, in Port of Spain, at midnight, marked the birth of the new Commonwealth State of Trinidad and Tobago.

This principal ceremony, to mark the achievement of independence by the former island colonies after 165 years of British rule, was performed in the presence of the Princess Royal, representing her niece, the Queen.

At Red House the Union Jack was hauled down for the last time before the new flag—black and white diagonals on a red field—was hoisted. To the liquid sounds of steel bands, similar ceremonies were being performed throughout the two islands. Port of Spain streets are not lavishly decorated, but the new national colours are prominent and in the three main thoroughfares hang representations of the tropical islands' fruits, flowers and birds. Later today the Princess Royal will preside at the State opening of Parliament. Dr. Eric Williams, aged 51. a graduate of Oxford University and a former history professor at Howard University, Washington, becomes the new State's first Prime Minister as leader of the People's National Party. Sir Solomon Hockoy, aged 54, formerly Governor, be-

comes the first GovernorGeneral and the islands themselves become the fifteenth member of the Commonwealth, and the smallest State in the Americas. Trinddad has little in common with its Latin American neighbours except tropical geography. Its population of 830.000 is a mixture of many races and nationalities. dominated by people df African and East Indian stock

Few Trinidadians seem to entertain any doubts about their ability to govern themselves. Both Trinidad and Jamaica enjoyed wide latitude in self-governmedt under Britain.

The country has problems. One has to do with the racial mixture. Today, negroes are in the majority, but a faster birthrate is likely to make Indians dominant trv 1970. They are about 37 par cent, of the population now

Looming importantly in future Trinidad relations with the United States is the United States Naval base. Chaguaramas. The United States Navy acquired a 99year lease of 18 square miles in World War 11. The lease has since been reduced to \1 years.

Sir Eric Williams has net been averse to whipping up political fervour against the naval base, but has carefully guarded against excess nationalistic feeling, according to the Associated Press. Eyeing Britain's negotiations with the European Common Market, he has been saying Trinidad should be prepared for bad news if Britain joins. In that case Trinidad would have to seek new markets quickly. The United States is the likely candidate for increased trade, and Americans already supply 15 per cent, of Trinidad's imports.

New Cabinet Post.— Mr W Willard Wirtz has been moved up from Undersecretary to be United States Secretary of Labour in President Kennedy's Cabinet, the Associated Press reported,— i Washington. August 31.)