IN SAMOA

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 225, 21 April 1933, Page 5

IN SAMOA

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S TOUR i King Kava Ceremony HEARTY AND LOYAL WELCOME Press Association —By Radio Apia, April 19.—An inspiring reception awaited their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe at Apia, where H.M.S. Diomede arrived at 9.30 today. The warship was escorted by a flotilla of decorated native craft each rowed by 30 men. These circled the Diomede after she had anchored and later escorted Lord and Lady Bledisloe's launch to the landing wharf, making a picturesque spectacle.

Their Excellencies were received by the Administraor, Brigadier-General A. E. Hart, and other officials. The shore was lined by thousands of spoctators. Returned soldiers had the honour of first receiving their Excellencies, who then proceed through double lines of school children. The reception was mcst cordial, only showery weather interfering with a complete spectacular success. The guests assembled in the fono house at Mulinuu for the King kava ceremony. The house is a handsome building in Samoan style and was beautifully decorated on this occasion with tropical flowers, streamers and green foliage, showing that the natives have an instinctive flair for artistic decorations. No picturesque detail of the ceremony or the accompanying pageantry was omitted. Representative chiefs, including Malieatoa and Mataafa, presented an address and several speeches were made expressive of loyalty to the King and the Empire and conveying a welcome to their Excellencies.

Lord Bledisloe in reply said he would report to his Majesty the hearty and loyal welcome received. The British.. Throne remained ■more steadfast than ever. No monarch was more universally and dearly loved than King George. The New Zealand Government was constantly considering questions concerning Samoa, and if as a result of the visit he was able to further inform the Government of Samoa's requirements he would be only too happy to do so.

His Excellency's spech was received with indications of satisfaction, and the King kava ceremonial proceeded, the bowl being offered first to Lord Bledisloe, then the Administrator and leading chiefs. The strange but significant ritual was followed with close interest by the visiting-party. The kava bowl has been used for hundreds of years. The ceremony is reserved strictly for kings or their representatives. .During the afternoon their Excellencies were the guests at a native entertainment and reception at Malinuu. 'All the districts were represented. Dances, songs and quaint ceremonies were presented, there being constant succession of typically Samoan items in their attractive dressing .and other sartorial decoralions.

Message from the King At an appropriate interval his Excellency delivered an address and conveyed a personal message from the King stating that his Majesty had received with satisfaction reports of the continued progress of the Samoan people and desired to assure them of his personal interest jn their social and economic welfare. Hi 3 Excellency said that for my country to be happy and prosperous it was necessary that the people should be contented and live in harmony. The history of Samoa in the past had been one of contending factions. He exhorted them to ,do all in their power to restore and iuaintain complete harmony and mutual trustfulness. Much had been done by the administration to improve health" and education. The hospital was evidently doing good work, several, Samoans being trained at Suva as doctors. These were now usefully working. His Excellency concluded with a few words of counsel to the principal chiefs and officials, urging them always to use ttheir positions and influence for the good of the country. They should be loyal to the, Government, help and support the '*Administrator and in .all things* seek the welfare o,'. the scountry and the people. No jealousy, envy or unworthy personal ambition should prevent them from taking a useful and honourable pavt in the work of Government for the prosperity and happiness of Samoa.