TITLE DISPUTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 January 1940, Page 7

TITLE DISPUTE

SELECTION OF SAMOAN LEADER WARS BETWEEN FAMILIES. CONSTANT SOURCE OF FRICTION. The dispute over the succession to the Malietoa title in Samoa, which has resulted in the appointment of Ati Tanu. elder son of the late holder, in place of lioane Viliamu, the second son, who was at first elected, is no new thing in Samoa. As far back as records go the death of a Malietoa has almost always led to disputes, often far more serious than in the present instance, and culminating in fighting. From the beginning of written Samoan history there are constant accounts of struggles between the Malietoa and Tupua families for supremacy in the islands. Sometimes the leader of one family and sometimes the head of the other has hreld sway, but disintegrating forces and opposing European influences prevented either from establishing permanent supremacy. Early in the 19th century the dominant position had been held for a lengthy period by the Tupua family, but after a series of long and fierce wars a member of the Malietoa family became virtual ruler of al Samoa. He was assassinated and a further period of fighting ensued before the holder of the Malietoa title avenged his death on the rival group. Once again dissension over the succession ensued on the death of this ruler and only after seven years of conflict did the Malietoa again emerge victorious in 1848. In this struggle European nations intervened for the first time and henceforth in the struggles between the two families Britain and America gave general support to the Malietoa and the Germans to the Tupua. For 30 years there was little cessation in disputes over leadership of the families or the islands as a whole. In turn both Malietoa and Tupua candidates held the foremost place, while at one time it was arranged for the leaders of the two families to rule alternately for four-year periods. Later a third chief. Mataafa, emerged as a candidate for the kingship. After a few years of comparative quiescence matters again came to a head in 1898 on the death of the Malietoa leader who had been recognised a king. The British and Americans supported the claims of the dead king’s youthful son. Malietoa Tanumafili, who died this year, and he was crowned. However, a majority supported Mataafa, who had the German backing. Mataafa supporters over-ran Apia and the young king had to take refuge on a British vessel. A High Commission declared the abolition of the kingship and Malietoa Tanumafil retired to school in Fiji. After the British withdrawal from Samoa in 1900 the title of king was transferred to the Kaiser and Mataafa took a new title of paramount chief. However,, disputes continued, and on Mataafa’s death the strategic step was taken of abolishing the paramount chief title and creating two positions of Fautua. or high advisers to the Governor. The contemporary holder of the name Tamasese in the Tupua family was appointed to one of these positions. Malietoa Tanumafili took the other and held it up to the time of his death this year, the system having been maintained under the British administration.