MESSAGE OF GREETINGS AND GOOD WISHES TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF FEDERATION OF MALAYA ON ATTAINMENT OF INDEPENDENCE

10.46 a.m.

The Chief Minister (Mr Lim Yew Hock): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have His Excellency's consent to move,

That .Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes to Members of the Federal Legislative Council:-

"On the occasion of the attainment of Independence by the Federation of Malaya within the Commonwealth of Nations on Saturday, 31st August, 1957, the Singapore Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the people of Singapore, sends to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation of Malaya greetings and congratulations at this historic time - the emergence of a new nation, taking its rightful place among the freedom-loving nations of the world; and good wishes for the future in which the peoples and Governments of both our territories are inextricably bound, a future which therefore holds a challenge to good sense and tolerance which can only be successfully met by constant and unstinted goodwill, and by the closest of co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the peoples of both our territories; for it is the prime interest of both peoples to merge into a single political unit within which as one people with one outlook and purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state of Merdeka.

We of Singapore look forward to that day when our strength will be added to your strength and our separation will be ended; and we can proudly go forward together to make our joint contribution in human welfare, economic prosperity and political strength to the great and distinctive service of Asia to the modern world.