Tamasese new
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
Prime Minister
Western Samoan custom won out when the new parliament, elected on February 7, met for the first time on February 25 and, in a secret ballot, elected Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV Prime Minister in place of Fiame Faumuina Mata’afa, who has led the country as PM since independence in January, 1962.
Prime Minister Tamasese, nephew of the late Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole, who was joint Head of State until his death in 1963, has been a medical officer at the Apia Hospital. He made his first political bid and was elected unopposed at the February election. Possibility of a challenge to Mata’afa was there but it was thought that it was more likely that Tamasese would accept a cabinet post.
News of his election as PM was received as PIM went to press.
No other details were available.
As a result of the general elec tions there will be 21 new faces in the fourth parliament.
On the individual voters’ roll, Mr. G. F. D. Betham was returned with a solid majority.
Mr. Tom Ott, a planter, won the other seat.