Election Since Independence

107 To Contest First Samoan Election Since Independence

From R. F. Rankin, in Apia.

Any doubts about change in Samoan custom have been dispelled by response to Western Samoa’s general election due on April 4—the country’s first since it became independent on January 1, 1962.

VITH widespread resentment against the recent Government iposition of school fees, great iblic interest is being taken in the ection, in which 106 men and one oman are contesting the 47 seats.

The days when the word of higher liefs was law; when a coveted seat parliament was rotated among llages in each district as the election me around; and when a representa /e could be selected by public dis ission among chiefs, are fast dis >pearing—thanks to the secret lllot.

The set-up is still far from demo atic in the commonly accepted eaning of the term, but democracy oks a lot closer than it did even ree years ago.

The franchise is still largely a prop the traditional social system and ily matai (family heads) have the >ht to be nominated or to vote.

The minority population of 1,225 gistered European, Chinese, part imoan and non-Samoan voters living itside the matai system has two ats in parliament and all these dividual voters over 21, male and male, have the right to be candi ites or to vote for these two seats.

As a result of the restrictive anchise, out of about 45,000 adults 'er the age of 21, only about 6,000 ive the right to vote.

Change Will Come There is no vociferous demand om the unfranchised for a vote, it with the rapid progress in educa )n, the change from a subsistence a more individualistic money onomy, and increasing contact with e outside world, change is bound come.

“There will be universal suffrage ;re within six years,” claims one imoan candidate in the election, tiis may appear wishful thinking to me observers but with change ling upon change so rapidly in imoa, it is not beyond the bounds ? possibility.

Greatest electoral interest lies in e district of Lotofaga where Prime

Minister Matafa is being challenged by Fonoti loane, businessman, planter and former bank director.

An experienced politician of con siderable talent, Fonoti is however not given much chance against the prestigious name of and country-wide respect for Mataafa.

“I am not bothering about a cam paign. It is up to the people to make up their own minds who they want,” said Mataafa when asked about his electioneering plans.

In a campaign free of party politics, he is content to rest on his personal record and appears uncon cerned about the outcome.

Another electorate holding major interest is at Palauli, where Afoafou vale Misimoa, most outspoken critic of the Government, is opposed by last-minute nominee, 32-year-old chief parliamentary interpreter and former scholarship student in New Zealand, Aioolupotea Palemene.

An outspoken, often contentious, skilful debater, and a politician of unquestionable ability, Afoafouvale was expected to be returned un opposed after discussions with district matai , but Palemene was drafted by his family, influential in the district, and entered his nomination 10 minutes before closing time.

The calibre of candidates is higher than at any time. The first Samoan university graduate. Public Service Commissioner Leiataua Vaiao Alai lima, is campaigning in the district of Aiga-i-le-tai against former Euro pean member Hans Keil, known as Lesa Anisi under his new status. In this district there was agreement among matai on one candidate (Lesa Anisi) but when nominations closed it turned out there were two other candidates aiming for election.

Another public servant, New Zealand trained Treasury investigating officer, M. McCarthy (Fuimaono Moasope), is opposing Minister of Education Tuatagaloa in a three cornered contest in the Falealili electorate.

With constitutional changes reduc ing the previous five European seats

on a population basis to two seats, the contest for the individual voters is particularly keen.

The two seats are being contested by Minister of Finance G. F. (Fred) D. Betham, Minister of Public Works F. (Frank) C. F. Nelson and back bencher Tom Allen, Both Ministers have done good work and they are generally expected to hold their portfolios again if re elected. Tom Allen has, however, made a name for himself as a battler oyer the past three years and with his own plus dissident support he is giving the two main contenders a worrying time.

History has been made in the electorate of Faasaleleaga No. 3, where a 39-year-old housewife and mother, Lefine Satia, is contesting the seat with former policeman Tole’afoa Talitimu. With the franchise re stricted to matai and with matai honours only rarely bestowed on a woman, it is most unusual for a woman to be playing an active part in politics.

Cabinet Changes

Unless there is a major upset, it is almost certain that Mataafa will again be Prime Minister but there are likely to be some changes in the Cabinet, members of which are selected by the Prime Minister who himself is elected by Parliament.

Among the 14 candidates elected unopposed are two Ministers; Fa’alava’au (Post Office and Radio) and Asiata (Agriculture). Neither

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Mataafa is expected to be returned, but Fiame him self is reported to be unconcerned about the result.

of these two are certain of Cabinet selection. Fa’alava’au, former secre tary of the Mau and a popular politician with long years of political service, may be thought too far on in years to stand up to the rigours of the development era ahead.

Asiata’s rather off-hand approach has not made him many friends among rank and file politicians, and he has also been involved in the demand of the Public Accounts Com mittee for a Commission of Enquiry into banana cartage contracts where his close relatives proved to be suc cessful bidders.

Although 107 candidates are offer ing themselves for election, there are not many of ministerial calibre among them. It is generally expected that at least four of the present Ministers will be re-appointed. They are Tuatagaloa (Education), Toomata (Lands), Betham (Finance) and Nelson (Public Works).

Backbenchers who may make Cabinet rank are Tuaopepe Tame, Pilia’e, Magele Ate and Afoafouvale Misimoa. Newcomers of ability are former Minister of Health now re entering politics, Luamanuvae Eti, Public Service Commissioner Vaiao Alailima and prominent planter Kolone Vaai.

All this of course is contingent upon their being elected. With as many as 12 candidates contesting one seat in places, the outcome is far from certain.