He's West Samoa's First

Prime Minister

he election of High Chief Mataafa as Western Samoa's first ; Minister places the leadership of the Territory, as it approaches overnment, with Samoan’s three High Chiefs. High Chiefs toa and Tamasese (the FautuaJ will become joint Heads-of-State complete self-government begins to function at the end of 1961.

dection of the Hon. Fiame ;aafa Faumuina Mulinu’u II Prime Minister has been y welcomed in the Territory, e first Prime Minister would imoan was a foregone con the Hon. E. F. Paul, who rried a heavy burden as of Government Business for t year or so, was the only in member who was ted. He came last in the and Mataafa won the final from his Samoan rival, elei Mauri, by 32 votes to 0 pleasing as the result was thod by which some of the 1 members tried to obtain it. of them challenged the : the five European members for a Prime Minister and 5d them to leave so that the might be made “according oan custom”.

T. C. F. Nelson, speaking in i, appealed against this, and e majority of members to his

way of thinking. The incident is regarded gravely by some —as an indication of what self-government in Samoa might mean.

High Chief Mataafa has a pleasant personality; ideas and a mind of his own; an understanding of Samoan and European attitudes —and was the popular choice.

oa's first Prime Minister, the Hon. Fiame Mataafa (left) with four others who are in- Hie Territory's destiny—Hon. Tupua Tamasese, CBE; Mr. J. Mathison, NZ Minister of ritories; Mr. G. R. Powles, NZ High Commissioner in Western Samoa; and Hon. Malietoa Tanumafili, CBE.