with Mataafa on top again
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
As you were in W. Samoa with Mataafa on top again
From FELISE VA’A in Apia
Western Samoa’s first Prime Minis ter, Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu, made a resounding come back in March when the Parliament gave him 23 votes or more than 50 per cent of the votes cast for the post.
The outgoing Prime Minister, Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV, who unseated Mataafa in 1970, received only nine votes, not only behind Mataafa, but also behind a younger politician, Tupuola Efi who pulled 13 votes.
It was a fitting victory for Mataafa who still retains much of his fire. His victory speech was moving, full of the dignity for which he is noted.
The two defeated candidates paid tribute to him for his success.
In the election for Speaker, Tolea foa Talitimu polled 28 votes to beat Teo Fetu 6 votes, and the previous Deputy Speaker, Leaupepe Faimaala 12 votes. The run-off for Deputy Speaker was a straight-out contest between the unsuccessful candidates for the Speakership, with Fetu win ning by 27 votes to 18.
The general elections, the fourth since independence in 1962, produced some of the biggest upsets in election history here. There were 12 can didates who were unopposed in their constituencies. Of these seven were sitting members and five were new ones.
In the contested elections, only 11 sitting members were returned while new members numbered 23. Only one parliamentary seat still remains to be contested. This is the one for the territorial constituency at Satupaitea which will have a by-election some time in May because of the death of a leading parliamentary candidate, Asiata Lagolago.
A greatly changed parliament will have 28 new members and 18 sitting ones.
Now for some of the upsets. At least four cabinet ministers lost their seats. The Minister of Justice, Amoa Tausilia, who obtained 69 votes, was beaten by one of the highest ranking chiefs of the constituency (Aleipata Itupa-i-Lalo), Tafua Kalolo, who got 78 votes, but this was expected. The Minister of Post Office, Fuimaono Moasope, 55 votes, lost to both Fuimaono Mimio, 130 votes, and Te’o Fetu, 75 votes, in the Falealili con stituency which has two seats. Fui maono Mimio is a sitting member, and Te’o Fetu a new one.
The Minister of Finance, Tuata galoa Tofa Siaosi. also ran in this constituency, but like his colleague, also lost. He could only obtain 64 votes. Minister of Education Tuala Paulo, 73 votes, lost by a big margin to newcomer Muagututia Pinati, 170 votes, in the Gagaemauga No 1 con stituency. His defeat was also ex pected.
Another big upset was the defeat of the Speaker, Magele Ate, in Faasaleleaga No 1, He polled 96 votes against two new members Lilomaiava Niko (180), and Mua gututia Lavilavi (120). Also beaten with Magele was Tofilau Eti, 114.
The elections for two members to represent the individual voters in parliament resulted in a win for former Commissioner of Police, Alfonso Philipp, 569 votes, and Sam Saili, 508 votes. Philipp is a new member, Saili a sitting member. The other sitting member, Tom Ott, was defeated. He got 470 votes.
Other upsets were the defeat of Leota Pita (97) by Mapuilesua Malo (102) in constituency Palauli Le Falefa; the defeat of Leota Ituau (123) by former Secretary to Govern-
ment Lauofo Meti (125) in con stituency Anoamaa Sisifo; the defeat of the chairman of the Bills Commit tee, veteran Ulugia Suivai (62) by Ulugia Nofoaiga (68) in con stituency Faleata Sisifo; the defeat of an ex-Minister of Agriculture Laufili Time (31) by Luatuanuu Aitaua (58) in constituency Sagaga Le Falefa, and the defeat of an ex- Minister of Education Tuaopepe Tame (61) by Vaafusuaga Poutoa (66) in constituency Lefaga and Faleaseela.
Other contestants elected were: Seiuli Taulafo (constituency Sasaga Le Usoga); Tapuala Vaifale Nimita (Aana Alofi No 3); Levaa Fofoa (Aiga i le Tae); Aumua John Wendt (Falelatai and Samatau); Toeta Siui (Safata); Mano Togamau (Siumu); Fuataga Penita (Aleipata Itupa i Luga); Asi Eikeni (Faasaleleaga No 2); Toleafoa Talitimu (Faasaleleaga No 3); Vui Pipo (Faasaleleaga No 4); Fepuleai Samuelu (Gagae mauga No 2); Tiatia Sausoo (Gagae mauga No 3); Leaumoana Fereti (Gagaifomauga No 2); Minister of Health Vaai Kolone (Vaisigano No 1); Aeau Taulupoo (Falealupo); Aliimalemanu Sakalia (Alataua Sisifo); Tapuai Ene (Salega); Leau pepe Faimaala. Deputy Speaker and first woman parliamentarian (Aana Alofi No 1) and Leaupepe Pita (Aana Alofi No 1).
Sitting member selected unopposed included Tuliaupupu Faafulu, Vaita gutu Anapapa, Tupuola Efi, Fatialofa Momoe, Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV, Polataivao Fosi, Lesatele Rapi, Vaovasamanaia Filipo, Laumea Matolu 11, Toluono Lama, Tooma latai Faaagi and Tofaeono Laaule pona.
Ex-Prime Minister Tamasese
Prime Minister Mataafa.