Wide Support For In First Samoan Elections

First Samoan Elections

From R. F. Rankin, in Apia Western Samoa’s general elections on April 4—the first since independence— proved to be a triumph for the Govern ment. Prime Minister Fiame Mataafa and his entire cabinet were returned by large majorities or unopposed. Most ob servers saw in the victory approval by voters of the Govern ment s policy of planned, accelerated economic development

M the new Assembly of 47 members there are 27 newcomers, a num r of whom are young men who 11 add weight to the progressive ivement which has steadily gained imentum over the past few years aiming for higher living standards a more modern economy, generally speaking, those members o proved useful and intelligent ring their recent term were re ned to office. 3 rime Minister Mataafa was re ned with a 60-26 majority. The mster of Finance, Mr. G. F. D. ham, topped the individual voters’ mt with 641, followed by the er successful individual voters’ didate, the Minister of Works, • F - c ; F - Nelson, with 559. he only other individual voters’ didale Mr. T. M. Allen, although uccessful, polled surprisingly well gam support from over a third voters with 460. Most forceful C w • • the Gov emment, Afoafou- Misimoa, to a lot of people’s

surprise, romped in with a 54-10 majority.

Against seven other candidates, Amituana’i Vili (W. F. Betham) climaxed a long interest in politics by being elected in the Savaii con stituency of Gagafomauga No. 2.

He is president of the recently formed Planters’ Political Party which, while appealing to growers in its demands for better export prices, is very vague in actual policy. Un less some dynamic leader emerges, the party is unlikely ever to be a particularly strong political force.

Voting was free of incident and polling very heavy with around 90 per cent, of registered individual voters exercising their right.

There were 106 candidates for the 47 seats in the House.

There was more interest through out the country in this election than in any previous one.

With the spread of education, in creased public relations efforts, and concrete development projects shap

ing up, this interest in politics will increase over the next few years.

The satisfactory response to the elections and its sensible outcome, coupled with the recent successful national loan and the commencement of work on the £1,000,000 harbour projects have combined to produce renewed optimism and confidence about the future of this country.

Cabinet Selected Following the general elections, Mataafa was unanimously elected Prime Minister for his second term, ihe selection was made by the Assembly, in the absence of the party system in Samoa.

There were three new names in his La e ufih Cabinet--Papali’i Poumau, Laufil, Time and Ulualofaiga Tala “House™ 11 fS 3 " eW member Portfolios are: Fiame Mataafa, Prime Minister Internal and External Affairs, Police and Prisons, Immigration and Emigra tion, District Affairs, Labour. g anJ U T t H ga,oa f e “ te,e ’ Justice, Lands and Titles and Central Registry.

Mr. G. F. D. Betham, Finance Economic Development, Customs. ’

Papali’i Poumau, Education.

Lald’R™gL a t ry Lil ° maiaVa ’ La " ds and

Ulualofaiga Talamaivao, Health.

Mr. F. C. F. Nelson, Works Marine, Transport and Transport Licensing, Civil Aviation.

Fa’alava’au Galu, Post Office Radio and Broadcasting. ’

Laufili Time, Agriculture.

Pyramid Unconquered

Lord Howe Island's 1,850 ft. Ball's Pyramid remains unconquered, despite two attempts made by two students from the University of NSW in March.

The Pyramid is a rode formation 12 miles from the island. Both can be seen in this striking picture. The at tempts to climb the rock for the first time were made by David Rootes and Richard Higgins. In their first attempt on March 23 they were reported to have reached 1,300 ft. before being forced to descend (PIM, April, p. 18) On March 31 they made the second atempt, but were unable to climb more than about 400 ft. Observers then said that the estimate of 1,300 ft. for the first climb was almost cer tamly wrong and that probably 500 ft. was the maximum height reached.