§ 1. Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what message of good will he has sent the Sierra Leone Government this day.
§ Mr. Braine, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th April, 1961; Vol. 639, c.595], circulated the following:
Message delivered by Mr. Duncan Sandys, British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, Sir Milton Margai, together with a gift of silver from the British Government on this first day of independence.
I bring to the Government and people of Sierra Leone warm greetings from the Government and people of Britain. The people of Britain and the people of Sierra Leone have long been associated with one another. One hundred and seventy-three years ago the British founded Freetown in the name of freedom, and freedom has ever since inspired our relationship. The achievement of independence is therefore a natural culmination. Independence was the objective towards which we and you have been working together over many years in full harmony with one another. Power has been progressively transferred and the people of Sierra Leone have step by step assumed more and more responsibility for the conduct of their affairs. Within the limits of our available resources, we wil continue to co-operate with you in the further development of Sierra Leone; but now that you are an independent nation, it is for you to decide what help you want and in what form you want it. This process of constitutional evolution has been carried through to its conclusion in an atmosphere of peace and confidence, while friendship between Britain and Sierra Leone has grown continuously closer. But we are not of course saying goodbye to each other, independence marks the end of an honourable chapter in the history of both our countries; at the same time it marks the beginning of a new phase which I am sure will be equally fruitful. Sierra Leone is not only becoming an independent sovereign nation, she has also become a member of the Commonwealth. Our Commonwealth family is a voluntary association of free countries which now includes some 600 million people, nearly one-fifth of the entire population of the globe, and it has a vital part to play today. Nations and races are dangerously divided by fear and suspicion of one another and peact is insecure. The world's most urgent need is the creation of a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. The Commonwealth which includes peoples of all races and creeds spread over all five continents is in a unique position to act as a bridge and to take the lead in promoting trust and co-operation, to strengthen peace, to promote freedom, and to uphold the dignity of 65W man: that is the Commonwealth's inspiring mission, and we are proud to welcome Sierra Leone as a new partner in this great work. The British Government has asked me on their behalf to present to the Government of Sierra Leone this gift of English silver. We hope that you will accept it as a token of the friendship which has grown up between our peoples during a long and honourable association and as an expression of our heartfelt good wishes for the progress and prosperity of Sierra Leone in the years to come.Signed,DUNCAN SANDYS,
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS."