MR FRASER’S TRIBUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26731, 29 March 1948, Page 5

MR FRASER’S TRIBUTE

"AN OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY " “ Mataafa Faumuina Siame was an outstanding, personality and one of the highest ranking citizens of Western Samoa,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in an announcement last night. “ He was one of the three Fautua and a member of the Council of State of Western Samoa, which was estab-. fished recently in connection with the revision of the Samoan Constitution. Mataafa, as he was commonly called, was the head of two large family groups, the Salevalasi and Sa-Tago, who were based largely on the south-

east coast of Upolu. He held his jearlier title of Siame as a leader of the Salevalasi, .and the two families distinct from" the Malietoa and Tupua lines were predominant in conferring the title Mataafa upon him. “He lived usually in Lepea, near Apia, where he was also a leading chief and held the title of Faumuina Mataafa was appointed a Fautua early in 1944 following a generally expressed desire of the Samoans for a third Tauta in addition to the two existing title holders, Malietoa and Tamasese.

“Although a leader of the Mau and its president for some years, Mataafa was always highly respected by the then Administration and all parties to the disputes of those days. “Mataafa is survived by his widow, Fa’ Amusami, a daughter of the late King Maleatoa Laupepa, and an aunt of the r -sent Fautua and member of the Council of State, Maleatoa, and by a son and a daughter. “ I have always had great respect for Mataafa,” concluded the Prime Minister, “and 1 am convinced that his actions have always been animated by true love of his country and concern for the welfare of its people.”