dynasty
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
No Rex dynasty for Niue
From Stafford L. K. Guest
on Niue.
An attempt by the Rex family to snap up a fifth of the Legislative Assembly seats in the recent general election on Niue failed.
A large number of candidates seek ing six common roll seats split the votes. The Premier’s wife, Mrs P. T.
Rex, gained a government seat by a narrow margin but her bachelor son, Robert Richmond jr and his uncle, Mr Leslie Rex of Avatele were left “knocking on the door”.
The election, the first to be held since this tiny, isolated island with a population of 3,700 attained self government status last year, resulted in; • Niuean electors voting into gov ernment two women for the first time in history; • Three well-known families, Tongokilo, Viviani and Rex, each holding two seats in the assem bly; • Niue having one politician repre senting every 80 electors— probably the highest ratio of representation in the world.
Popular village headmaster, Mr Pope Talagi, topped the poll in a tussle with 15 other candidates seek ing six common roll seats. He was 130 votes ahead of his nearest rival, Mr T. Viviani, father of the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Young Vivian,
who was re-elected unopposed in the village constituency of Hakupu.
Mr P. Tanu of Avatele who con sidered himself an “outside horse” polled higher than the Premier’s wife.
The Commissioner of the Niue Court, Mr Tongokilo and his daughter, ex nurse Mrs Lapati Raka, from Muta lau, narrowly defeated public works foreman Mr P. Hiku, and another woman candidate, Mrs T. Ikinpule.
Eleven village constituent members including the Premier and three cabinet ministers were re-elected un opposed. In three areas where sitting members were challenged, only one toppled. Mutalau favoured young planter Mr Don Vilitama who ousted Mr T. Kalauni.
Speaker of the House, Mr S. P. E.
Tagelagi, who was originally nomi nated as a government candidate, withdrew his nomination at the 11th hour and was re-appointed Speaker
at the first meeting of the new assembly five days after the election.
Mr Robert Rex was again elected Premier by the 20-member govern ment and he, in turn, appointed Dr Enetama, Mr Frank Lui and Mr Young Vivian to the Cabinet.
Premier Rex is obviously going to keep a tight reign over his domain.
He has taken on responsibility for 10 portfolios—Finance, Immigration, Emigration, Customs, Trade, Inland Revenue, Information, Police, Prisons and Transport. It is also likely he will retain chairmanship of the Liquor Authority and the Price Tribunal.
Mr Young Vivian, who has fallen from favour in the past 12 months, lost his Tourism post to planter fisherman Mr Frank Lui but retains the Education, Agriculture and Economic Development files.
A Fiji-trained Niuean doctor, who gave up a medical career to enter politics, Dr Enetama of Namukulu, will be responsible for Health, lustice, Local Government Affairs, Lands and Radio.
Mr Lui is Minister for Works, Tourism, Forests, Fisheries and Electricity.
About 1,600 islanders went to the booths to elect the government which is now solely responsible for spending NZ grants totalling about $2.8 million a year.
Mr Gavera Rea, Papua New Guinea Minister for National Development, shakes hands with the Australian Minister for Labour and Immigration, Mr Clyde Cameron, at the opening of the fifth Asian Labour Ministers' conference held recently in Melbourne. Other Pacific countries represented were Fiji, Naum and Tonga.