out of mere politeness. I am thinking, for example, of parliamentary democracy, and of the fact that the LegisIature in the Bahamas is older than the government in Australia. The House of Assembly was established in 1728, and there has been a continuity which Bahamians are understandably proud of. A number of past and present members of the Legislatures of both our countries are already well known to one another through the meetings and activities of the Common- wealth Parliamentary Association. I believe that the first international meeting where this newly inde- pendent State will be represented in its own right will be the meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers which is to begin in Ottawa on 2 August. Prime Minister Pindling will represent his country there, and the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, has already indicated that he is looking forward to meeting him in Ottawa and so establishing from the outset personal contact at the highest level between our two Governments and countries. The Australian Govem- ment had the honour and pleasure of having a special representative in the Bahamas for the celebrations of independence on 10 July. 52. It is particularly gratifying that the Bahamas has achieved its independence in a peaceful manner which has preserved in full measure the friendship and goodwill of the United Kingdom, the former ad- ministering Power. The United Kingdom to its great credit has consistently declared that it would not stand in the way of independence for the Bahamas once it had been made clear ,that this was the wish of the majority of the people. 53. We also note with satisfaction that Mr. Pindling’s Government intends to participate fully in hemispheric and regional associations and to work for close rela- tions with its neighbours and particularly the Com- monwealth Caribbean countries. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic message congratulating the Bahamas on its independence and highlighting the positive relationships between the Bahamas and Australia. It mentions the upcoming meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers and the expected personal contact between the two Prime Ministers. The text also notes the Bahamas' intention to participate in regional associations and maintain close relations with its neighbors.

**Category**
International relations, Culture