1.
LV CAR ARRIVES OUTSIDE ASSEMBLY BUILDING.
0.06

2.
GTV CROWD.
0.08

3.
SV.PAN...MR. NIGEL FISHER UP STEPS OF BUILDING.
0.15

4.
SV GOVERNOR AND OFFICIALS STAND TO ATTENTION ON STEPS OF ASSEMBLY.
0.18

5.
GV & SV..GOVERNOR INSPECTS GUARD-OF-HONOUR.
0.29

6.
GV.INT..ASSEMBLY.
0.33

7.
GV & SCU... GOVERNOR MAKING SPEECH (2 SHOTS).
0.42

8.
GV ASSEMBLY.
0.45

9.
LV GOVERNOR & OTHER OFFICIALS LEAVE ASSEMBLY. (2 SHOTS).
0.54

10.
GV.INT...PRESSMEN ATTENDING PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY PRIME MINISTER.
0.56

11.
SCU PRIME MINISTER.
1.00

12.
SV PRESSMEN ASK QUESTIONS.
1.01

13.
SCU PRIME MINISTER ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
1.06

14.
SCU PRESSMEN.
1.07

15.
LV PRIME MINISTER AT DESK.
1.11



Initials AK/S/MGT/GH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: BRITISH HONDURAS TOOK OVER INTERNAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ON JANUARY 13TH WHEN MR. NIGEL FISHER, THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF THE STATE FOR THE COLONIES, PRESENTED THE INSTRUMENTS OF THE NEW CONSTITUTION TO THE ASSEMBLY IN BELIZES.

IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING HAD GATHERED MEMBERS OF THE FORMER COLONY'S POLITICAL PARTIES, HEADED BY THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, MR. GEORGE PRICE; AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR PETER STALLARD.

OUTSIDE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, RIVAL GROUPS IN THE CROWD CHEERED AND COUNTER-CHEERED DURING THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY. PLACARDS WERE DISPLAYED APPROVING THE GRANTING OF INTERNAL SELF-GOVERNMENT. MR. FISHER TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT HE HAD BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE SUCCESSFUL AVOIDANCE OF DISPUTES, ADDING: "YOU ARE WELL SET ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE."
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE DAY, THE PRIME MINISTER SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, HONDURAS, NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND MEXICO. MR. PRICE SPOKE OF HIS COUNTRY'S ULTIMATE DESIRE TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC.

LAST JULY, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED IN LONDON ON THE NEW CONSTITUTION FOR BRITAIN'S ONLY COLONY IN CENTRAL AMERICA. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, BRITISH HONDURAS WAS TO HAVE A TWO-CHAMBER ASSEMBLY, WITH POWER OF DECISION OVER MOST INTERNAL MATTERS. THE GOVERNOR WAS STILL TO RETAIN SOME RESERVE POWERS FOR DEFENCE, FOREIGN AFFAIRS, INTERNAL SECURITY AND FINANCE.