Personalities

Of The New

Samoa

Here are the people now prominent as the leaders of

the newly independent Western

Samoa:

Tupua Tamasese

The biggest and most significant figure in Western Samoan affairs to day is the urbane, square-jawed Tupua Tamasese, CBE, one of the two Fautua who are Heads of State.

He is a well-balanced, well-read, thoughtful man, who keeps his private opinions to himself; and his influence for years has been strong, and far reaching, although it is not as strong now as it once was.

He is the brother of that High Chief Tamasese who was shot in the back by Richardson’s police while he was trying to quell the Mau rioting in Apia in 1929; and it is thought that he has never forgotten that incident, nor forgiven official New Zealand.

This Tupua Tamasese became head of the family group when his brother was killed; and, ever since, he has worked steadily and consistently, and with marked ability, for self government for Samoa, and sever ance of the ties with New Zealand.

He is thought to be friendly to the West, but not to New Zealand.

He is passionately interested in politics, has a remarkable memory for dates and events and reads many of the more serious overseas journals —including the New Zealand Han sard.

Married to Hon. Tamasese, and

a strong influence in political circles is the Masiofo Irene, one of the five famous daughters of the late Mr. O.

F. Nelson. She is a well-educated woman of strong personality and, like the wife of the Prime Minister, she will play a definite part in the new Samoa of 1962.

Malietoa Tanumafili

Hon. Malietoa Tanumafili, CBE, is a younger man than Tamasese and therefore, as the new Constitution provides that the survivor of the two Heads of State shall carry on alone, until death, it could happen that Malietoa will be sole Head of State— virtually a king—for a time.

Members of the Malietoa family have been either nominally kings of Samoa, or ardent seekers after that office, during the last 130 years; but there has been no real king of Samoa since the death in 1841 of Malietoa Tavita, a man of strong character, who was the sovereign from 1830 until 1841.

Malietoa Tanamafili is a medium size man of delicate features, in con trast with Tamasese and Mataafa, who are tall and big. He is a sensi tive man and physically he is usually active. The illness which Malietoa suffered in Sydney early this year following a visit to New Guinea, was far more serious than was realised at the time. He barely escaped with his life, and he still is on a strict regimen—no liquor, and his diet is carefully regulated. He is highly esteemed in Samoa’s social life and he is very hospitable; although the Fautua are supposed to be equal, his

title seems to be regarded by Samoans as the higher. Malietoa is very shrewd in resolving difficulties, although he has no real interest in politics. He is not married—he was divorced from his attractive wife re cently.

Flame Mataafa

All classes in Western Samoa— European as well as Samoan —have remarkable faith and trust in their Prime Minister, Hon. Fiame Mataafa, head of his section of the nobility.

“This job has made a man of Mataafa,” declared a commentator, close to politics, but not involved in them. “He was once a playboy—he loved the good things of life, and seemed to be bored by politics. I have seen him reading a Wild West thriller in the Assembly during long and serious debates.

“But he flowered late and now he is a loyal and dedicated man—in tensely interested in his job, with a strong sense of responsibility towards his country.” Mataafa is ambitious, with the ability to conceal it.

Because he is older and has much strength of character, Tamasese is inclined to dominate political discus sions; but Mataafa does not knuckle under to Tamasese, as so many might have done—they say there have been some hot and heavy arguments when these two strong men have met in government. Mataafa, through this, has lost nothing in stature. He was well educated abroad and the respect accorded him by Samoan residents and people overseas is a tribute to his quality as a man and a leader, rather than to his high rank in Samoan

society. Like many Samoans he o be moody.

The strength of character whichl seen to be developing in Mataafa, s which gives so many people cat for hope that his administration y be wise and effective, is said by f Samoans to come to him from mother, Fa’amusami. She was wise woman of outstanding pers ality—and, incidentally, she was prominent member of the Malie family group.

Mataafa is helped greatly in work as Prime Minister and lea by his handsome wife, the Masi Fetaui—described by some as “ ideal mate for Mataafa”. She is daughter of a highly-born Sami who, for long, was personal aide interpreter to Sir Guy Powles, w\ he was High Commissioner, and y travelled far and wide with Pow She was college-educated in F Zealand, and she has a wide gi of Samoan public affairs. “Fetau on the beam all the time,” say admirers. She is a forthright pen

Mr. J. B. Wright

Although, on December 31, Mi B. Wright retires automatically f:' the post of President of the Con of State (which he occupied bees he is New Zealand’s High Comi sioner in Western Samoa), and two Fautua, Hon Malietoa and I Tamasese, will carry on alone; Heads of State, he does not dii pear from the Samoan scene.

The NZ High Commissioner, Mr. J. B. W[?] after January 1 will not be part of the Samoan Government. But he will be ava[?] for advice if it is needed.

Prime Minister Fiame Mataafa.

icially, he remains there as New nd’s High Commissioner, to be seller and adviser to the tans; but his real influence will ;rsonal rather than official. He is in of wide experience, broadly mt opinion, and much wisdom. : has had a lot of influence in ding the Samoan viewpoint, since >ok over from Sir Guy Powles aple of years ago. None knows 4Z Islands scene better than he has served in all kinds of posts amoa and Cook Islands; Secre of the NZ Islands Department; mmercial man in Samoa; and it at the Samoans’ own request he became High Commissioner. ;arries the goodwill and high re of both Samoans and Euro s. was part of Mr. Wright’s good ne that, when a young man in Samoan public service, he met married Eileen Fabricius, a mem of one of the old European 3an families. She has been with in his Island Territories’ wander and she has settled down as to manner born as the top lady at ima, where all distinguished visi have been entertained in the s of Samoa’s Trusteeship.

Mataafa, wife of Prime Minister Fiame fa, is a cultured and popular Samoan in her own right.