Assembly
p. 51 · Read in the full issue
W. Samoa's New Assembly Now Taking Shape Samoan Members Chosen
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, April 19.
THE names of 11 Samoan representa tives for the new Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa were, by request of the Faipule, picked out of a list of 31 candidates by the Hon. Fautua, Tamasese, Malietoa and Mataafa and given to the Faipule who, in turn sub mitted the names ais their own choice to the High Commissioner.
The names of the new representatives are: Tualatulu, Molio’o, Tulele, Fata, Fonoti, Tualau, Tofa Tomasi, Vui, Leia taua Soloa, Asiata, Lavea Lala.
The official Samoan name of the mem bers of the Legislative Assembly will be “Taimua” as distinctive from the Fautua, the members of the Council of State, and the Faipule, the district representatives.
An interesting legal point has been raised in connection with the inclusion in the 11 Samoan Taimua, of Tofa Tomasi, who is of German descent and a half Samoan. No former enemy of the King is eligible as representative of the people, as no formal peace treaty has been concluded with Germany. Tofa Tomasi (who was formerly Thomas Nauer) was submitted as a candidate by unanimous choice of the Aana district of Upolu which has a population of 5,000 Salmoans.
The position now is that, until further notice, Tofa Tomasi will be unable to take his seat on the Council.
THE European election campaign has started in earnest with meetings, leaflets and radio broadcasts.
Two parties have nominated five candi dates each.
The United Citizens Party has chosen Messrs. E. E. Paul, G. F. Betham, J. Helg, W. F. Stowers and F. W. Meredith. The Labour Party has nominated Messrs. A.
A. Stowers, A. M. Gurau, G. Pritchard, D. Crichton and E. Fabricius. It is pos sible that one or two independent candi dates will also contest the election which takes place on April 28.
Of the nine members of the United Citizens Party who had declared their Willingness to stand for election, all three full European candidates were eliminated in a pre-election ballot, so that all can didates of the UCP are local-born. The Labour’ Party hais nominated one full European (A. M. Gurau) and four local born candidates.
Opening of New Assembly
AFONO of Faipule has agreed on the new flag of Samoa. This will have a red field with a blue square in the left hand upper corner, with five white stars in the blue square, formihg the Southern Cross. The new flag, which is to fly together with the New Zealand flag, on all Government buildings, will be raised for the first time at the official opening of the new Legislative Assembly which has been set tentatively for May 18.
Samoan leaders have issued invitations to attend the opening to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and to repre sentatives of the Maoris, Fijians, Ton gans, Rarotongans, and Tahitians. An elaborate programme of water and land sports has been planned, and the his torical event will be celebrated by two holidays.
After spending three months’ leave in Queensland, Miss T. M. O’Brien has now returned to Madang, New Guinea.
M. Ratzel, who did valuable work for the Allies as Governor Henri Sautot’s Chef de Cabinet, has left New Caledonia.
His place as a member of the Governor’s Private Council has been taken by Dr.
Trubert. M. Ratzel had a long career as chief surveyor, and he played a lead ing part at the head of 300 men of the Huailu tribe in 'suppressing the revolt by Chief Noel of Kone in 1917. He came out of retirement to rally General de Gaulle in .1940. He re-christened his Noumea house Villa de Gaulle, but was later incensed by the actions of de Gaulle’s unpopular envoy, Admiral d’Argenlieu.
Mr. Kevin Adams returned to Port
Moresby, Papua, recently. He will shortly be joined there by his wife.