Bankruptcy Or Prosperity ?
pp. 37-39 · Read in the full issue
The West Samoan Scene
Stormy Days Ahead
A News Round-up from “PlM’s” Apia Correspondent After only three months of independence, criticism of the Western Samoan Government is becoming more severe. Within le Government too there are signs that the stirrings of dis mtent, subdued until independence became a reality, will no nger remain silent. The Budget session of the Samoan Legis tive Assembly, to open on March 28, should be stormy. It the first business session since independence.
,RD working Minister of Finance G. F. D. Betham, a persistent cial critic in past years before imself became a Minister, now the shoe on the other foot as >a’s economic situation worsens a falling export income and ing Government expenses, e Government is certain to face g opposition, led by Afoa de Misimoa (Mr. Harry Moors), makes no secret of the fact that links the Prime Minister and his net lack the driving force and cal and economic know-how isary to lift Samoa out of its nt financial morass, the opposition proves strong and d enough it is quite possible that otion of no-confidence will be ;d against the Government, hatever happens, politics in >a are bound to be confusing i, with no parties, the Govern is never certain of the majority ;d to get its legislation through ■louse. though Misimoa has a personal wing, no Samoan political group ny strength has yet appeared d together by any common y. cording to Financial Secretary P. ;r, preliminary Estimates for exceed estimated revenue by £700,000. a confidential memorandum to 5 of Departments in February, he that 1962 Estimates were 10,000, while expected revenue anly £1,400,000. Estimates have fore to be reduced by £700.000 e meagre reserves of £435,000, dy depleted by £175,000 to meet year’s deficit, are not to be led, or the country is not to be nto bankruptcy. 30 per cent, cut in Estimates :>rly be possible with drastic cuts services, staff, and vital opmental work. In Samoa’s
first year of independence this is the last thing that members of the As sembly or the public want. Already the imposition of import controls, limiting imports to 90 per cent, of 1960 figures, and the formalities and restrictions of the newly implemented exchange controls, are proving very unpopular.
The Government is finding it hard to explain why, in spite of its obviously vast potential, the Samoan people are facing a reduction in their already inadequate health and educa tion services, and public servants
again facing the threat of salary cuts and dismissals.
As reported in this column last month, first public news of a possible deficit was published in the Samoan English-language weekly Sentinel (which has since been incorporated! in Samoana ), and the writer, R. F<.
Rankin, said the country was in the financial state it was because the Government hadn’t drawn up any policy to overcome it. Sentinel did not name the source of its deficit revelation.
The glare of critical publicity was not kindly received by the Govern ment.
In a bitter attack on the motives
Visiting Apia on a world cruise—the luxury yacht "Wanderlure". See p. 36.
PRIME MINISTER'S WIFE. In Suva in March en route to Noumea to attend a church conference was Fetaui Mataafa, wife of West Samoa's Prime Minister. She was accompaned by Vavae Toma, of the West Samoa LMS Church. Asked in what capacity she was travelling, the Masiofo Fetaui replied; "I'm travelling as a mere housewife going to a church conference".
and abilities of editor R. F. Rankin, published in the Government daily cyclo-styled Press News, and broadcast over the Government radio station 2AP, Mr. Betham decried the article as a sensational rumour and his report by publishing the Financial Secretary’s confidential memorandum to Department heads and caused a further storm within the Governt Much criticism of the Government arises from poor public relations and the reluctance of most politicians and senior officials to reveal what is going on behind the scenes. For instance there are rumours that aid is being sought from West Germany, but officials will neither deny nor confirm jhis.
Whether the final outcome is bankruptcy or prosperity, it is plain that there are stormy days ahead, and from the thinly veiled threats already
made, the freedom of the Press may well be one of the many issues at stake.
Praise For Radio
VISIXING yach tsman Carl Heintz J could not praise Apia Radio highly enough when he called at Apia a ew m the m March. A former winner of the Los Angeles-Honolulu Pacific race, Commodore Heintz is on a leisurely g Vfrs world cruise on the 68 ft Wander lure with Mrs. Heintz and a crew of tour.
Last month while en route from Bora Bora to Pago Pago the Wanderlure struck some very bad weather during which two other yachts in her vicinity had to send out distress signals. They were the Grade S which lost its rudder and the Nimbus which was dismasted. On both occasions the yachts called Pago with no response, but on both
occasions, said Commodore Heir Apia came in immediately, handli traffic and standing by ready needed.
“You have a great station that giving a wonderful service,” s Commodore Heintz. “It is this a of service above ordinary routine vd that not only makes our trip much safer but so much m pleasurable. The station every support.”
Commodore Heintz made a sp© call on Director of Post Office j Radio Ernest Betham, and the ra station, to personally express appreciation of the work they doing. The staff of the Post 01 and Radio Department, compri! over 90 employees, is made I entirely of local appointees. * * *
No Crime Wave
THE local prophets of doom, me seconded officials, had a filli] their fears of mayhem and the bn down of law and order when a 1 Zealand woman teaching at Sai College was brutally assaulted v. alone at home with her children the evening of March 11. P( the next morning arrested a San on charges of assault, intent to ! and burglary.
In the same week a couple purse-snatching incidents were ported. More followed, with abo dozen cases in the month. * * * Apia fishermen have contii making good catches while tro about five miles out from Apia, day’s fishing for the month was Superintendent of Police Alph Philipp who, in two trips in his board powered 20 ft plywood ca landed one yellow fin tuna of lb, one of 110 lb, and two of 3( totalling 300 lb for the day. L businessman John Ah Kuoi landed a yellowfin of 142 lb. * * * Two Samoan public servants for Australia in March under Australian International Scholai and Fellowship Plan. They Assistant Public Service Commissi Sam Atoa and Government Prn Leading Hand Oitken Fruean.
Atoa will be studying Public Sei administration for nine months Mr. Fruean, accompanied by bride, formerly Mary MacKe:
study Graphic Arts for two years lydney Technical College. Also lo a veterinary course in Aus i is Oscar Stunzner, a former oan scholarship student in New and. ♦ * *
S In Their Pants
)W even the ants in Samoa are under scrutiny! Arriving in Apia r in March on a Travelling >wship of Harvard University New Zealand entomologist srt Taylor. Mr. Taylor is ac aanied by his wife. After four ;s studying Samoan ants he will ; on to Queensland and New tea. He is working on a thesis lis doctorate on Polynesian ants, hich he is co-operating with Pro r E. O. Wilson at Harvard. * * *
Asese's Successor?
:AD of State Tupua Tamasese (addressed as His Highness since jendence) left with Masiofo asese for medical treatment in Zealand late in February. He accompanied by his nephew, )an Medical Practitioner Lealofi asese, who travelled as aide-de ». He was attended at Auckland specialist Dr. Douglas Robb. > of treatment and accommoda in Auckland were borne by the Zealand Government, masese has not been in good h for some time and his choice ealofi as aide is interesting to who see in this, further indica that he will be the successor to high title. Like Tamasese, )fi is a gentleman, cultured, with ilert mind. He is liked and cted.
New Chief Judge
NEW Chief Judge to take office from April 1 is former Attorney General P. L. Molineaux. Mr.
Molineaux, M.A., LL.B., succeeds former Chief Judge C. C. Marsack (author of Samoan Medley) who is now in Fiji.
The new Chief Judge was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was educated at Christ’s College and Canterbury University. After two years at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, during the war he served in the Pacific as an anti-aircraft officer.
After the war he joined the Colonial Administrative Service and for a time was District Officer in Northern Rhodesia. He returned to New Zealand in 1952 taking up law in private practice and later being appointed Crown Solicitor and Crown Prosecutor at Blenheim.
He was appointed to Samoa as Attorney General last year. He is 41, married with three children.
Appeal cases are no longer heard in New Zealand but a Samoan Court of Appeal will be set up later this year. It will comprise three judges, with the Chief Justice as Chairman.
H. R. H. Tamasese.