N.Z. HAS COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN W. SAMOA’S FUTURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 4

N.Z. HAS COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN W. SAMOA’S FUTURE

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 4. Confidence that members of the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa would approach their duties with a will and determination to give of their best and to apply themselves wholeheartedly to the task of making laws for the order and good Government of tlie territory was expressed by the Prime Minister and Minister of Island Territories, Mr. P. Fraser, in a message read at t-he opening of the Assembly in Apia yesterday. Mr. Fraser also expressed regret that he was unable to attend the ceremony because of the poliornyeu,..-, k strictions taken to prevent the spread of tlie disease to Western Samoa. After referring to the “epoch-making ceremony” when the new flag of Western Samoa was hoisted alongside the flag of New Zealand Mr. Fraser said great power and great responsibilities had been placed in the Assembly's hands. “The Government of New Zeaianu, as tlie administering authority under t lie trusteeship provisions of the United Nations’ charter, is reposing confidence in you and the Government of New Zealand trusts that its confidence will be fully merited. I feel certain that the collective wisdom of the members of the Council will ensure this result—that you will always uphold the dignity of the Assembly of which you are the first members and that you will give equally just treatment to all those people who call Western Samoa their home.”

Under the trusteeship agreement ap plying to Western Samoa, New Zealand had, among other things, undertaken to promote the political, economic. social and educational advancement of the inhabitants of that territory, and their progressive development towards self-government, or independence ns might be appropriate to the circumstances. New Zealand had demonstrated in a practical way its intention to honour that undertaking.