An series of raw recordings which may have been made at United Nations Visiting Mission to Western Samoa meetings in Samoa in 1959, regarding the self-government of Samoa. (This tape compilation appears to have been prepared for supply to Samoan broadcasters, as there are several service messages from the sound archivist throughout the recordings.)
An unidentified (American?) speaker addresses a meeting and says the United Nations mission believes in self-government and believes it is right for all people to aspire to it. He talks about the work this will involve for Samoa. He says the mission is in Samoa to listen and learn the desires of the Samoan people, not to make decisions, and then to make recommendations to the Trusteeship Council. Then the Council and the UN General Assembly will make the decisions. He calls on the will of God to direct the meetings.
An unidentified man speaks in Samoan [translation required.]
An American speaker (Mr Sears?) talks about the work of the UN Trusteeship Council and notes the mission will not make any decisions itself. He says discussions were held in Wellington the previous week with the New Zealand government regarding Samoan self-government. He invites Mr Paul to speak.
Mr Paul (?) speaks, outlining the main points that the people want, following public meetings held around the country, giving his committee a mandate to present to the Commission. He invites other members of the committee to express their views to the Commission as well, and begins to read the six points they have formulated on independence and how Samoa will transition to self-government. (He may be speaking on behalf of the European Citizens Committee.)
Service message by sound archivist Tommy Thompson interrupts to note these six points exist elsewhere so the recording has been edited at this point.
An unidentified man speaks in Samoan. [translation required]
Service message from Tommy Thompson identifies the previous speakers as Mr Taulaulele, and then the end of his speech in Samoan is heard.
American speaker thanks the speakers.
Tommy Thompson introduces Mr Stowers who speaks in English briefly, saying he works on behalf of the working people of Samoa.
Mr Smyth speaks briefly, saying he hopes Samoa's people will be given the opportunity to run their own country.
The American speaker thanks the speakers and notes they will meet again after the Samoan Plan has been placed before the Commission.
An unidentified man speaks about the need to learn the will of the Samoan people.
An unidentified man speaks in Samoan.
It is recognised that New Zealand will give its full support to Samoa's independence.
A recording of an outside broadcast. The American (?) man speaks outside to a gathering of people from five villages of Lotofaga, noting there are United Nations representatives who have come from five different nations present. He tells them how much he has come to love Samoa and it is their intention to know the wishes of all Samoan people, both titled and untitled.
An unidentified man speaks (possibly translating the previous speech into Samoan.)
Samoan music, dance groups performing, children laughing and playing.
Tape ends with an unrelated recording of Sir Apirana Ngata speaking and singing a waiata (this is possibly a dubbing of his farewell to his friend Te Rangi Hīroa Sir Peter Buck in Auckland in 1949.)