to High Chief Mataafa
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
Appointment of a Successor to High Chief Mataafa
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, March 10.
AN interesting problem arises when the question is considered whom the Gov ernment is to appoint as a successor to the late Mataafa as Adviser to the Ad ministration and native member of the Legislative Council.
It is not known who will succeed to the Mataafa title, though Chief Tupuola of Amaile, Aleipata, should have a good claim; it is not necessary for the Adminis tration to appoint the holder of the Ma taafa title again Adviser and M.L.C. The former Adviser, High Chief Tuimalealii fano, is still alive, but very old and frail and unable to fill the difficult and respon sible position of Fautua.
The New Zealand Government, desiring to pursue a policy of reconciliation with the Samoan opposition party, may pos sibly offer the position to another leader of the Mau, like Tamassese or Faumuina.
The latter is the present leader of the Mau movement, being also a relative of the Mataafa family. It seems, however, doubtful if such an offer would be ac cepted by either of the chiefs.
There is another solution; namely, to delay the appointment until New Zealand Government has had an opportunity to investigate the whole Samoan question, and, if possible, effect a settlement with the Samoans, when the appointment of a Mau chief as representative of the ma jority of the Samoans may follow.
The rank of a Fautua and of a native member of the Legislative Council is con sidered to be of the highest importance by the Samoan people.