Successor

Samoa Divided

On Tamasese

Western Samoa is facing a

major political split over the

conferring of the royal Tupua

Tamasese titles on a successor to Head of State Tupua Tama sese Meaole, who died in May. 0 N September 20 at Vaimoso, VJ Minister of Education and paramount chief of the Safenunuivao family of Falefa and Salani, Leutele Tuatagaloa Te’o, exercising what is claimed to be the family’s traditional right, conferred the titles on Lealofi, nephew of Meaole. He is the son of Tamasese Lealofi, Samoan leader killed by New Zealand constabulary during the Mau in 1929.

Opposition to this move was registered by Mataia, Meaole’s brother, and Faalagina, daughter of Mataia’s half-brother.

Then on September 28, also at Vaimoso, representatives of the large and influential Satuala and Mavaega families conferred the titles Tupua Tamasese on Efi, 25-year-old former law student at Victoria University, and son of the late Meaole.

"Influence"

These families have a good deal of political influence and three members of Parliament played prominent parts in the King’s Kava held to mark the conferment.

They were Leaupepe Faatoto, of Fasitoo, Tevaga Paletasala, of Leauvaa, and Tuaopepe Tame, of Lefaga.

They claim that Efi is the choice of the immediate family for the title and that his education, social position and very good knowledge of Samoan custom, gained from his father, make him a more suitable holder of the titles.

In a recently disputed will, Efi inherited the large and valuable Tuaefu property of his grandfather, the late O, F. Nelson, prominent leader in the move towards Samoan independence. A too-typical under graduate several years ago, Efi is now showing signs of considerably increased maturity.

The Safenunuivao family, on the other hand, feel that the 41-year-old, well-liked, polite and unassuming, Samoan medical practitioner Lealofi has personal qualifications that make him the better man for the job.

The titles involved are important ecause under the present law, in tie event of the death of the present lead of State, Malietoa Tanumafili, le holder will be one of the four len in line for next Head of State, 'he other three contenders are the olders of the royal titles of Mataafa, 'uimaleali’ifano and Malietoa.

However, so far both parties are damant that they are acting within ieir rights, although both agree that single holder of the titles will have ) be decided upon.

Negotiations are going on in the ope of reaching an amicable settle lent and a major discussion between le two groups is scheduled to be eld at Mulinu’u early in November.

If no agreement can be reached y discussion, the case is bound to e taken to the Lands and Titles ourt for decision.

[?] ealofi Tamasese (top) and Tufuga Efi Tamasese.— Photo: Samoana.