Faalavaau Galu (12 September 1902 – 29 October 1975) was a Western Samoan chief and politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1957 until 1973, and served as Minister for the Post Office, Radio and Broadcasting between 1957 and 1970.
Biography
Born in 1902, Galu was conferred with the Faalavaau title in 1923.Lauofo Meti (2002) ''Samoa: The Making of the Constitution'', National University of Samoa, p323 During his youth he was an excellent cricketer and rugby player.
He joined the anti-colonial Mau movement, becoming its secretary.Mr Faalavaau Galu ''Pacific Islands Monthly'', December 1975, p81 A member of the
Fono of Faipule
The Fono of Faipule was a legislature in Western Samoa during the colonial era. It consisted of representatives (''faipule'') from each district.Legislative Council, serving until 1946. After leaving the Council, he worked for the Union Company and I.H. Carruthers.Well-Known Samoan Before Court November 1956, p142 In 1956 he was convicted of failing to account for goods at his employer and sentenced to six months in prison. However, after the money was repaid, his sentence was replaced with a £15 fine.
Galu returned to politics in 1957, when he was elected to the reconstituted Legislative Assembly. Following the elections, he was appointed Minister for the Post Office and Radio, with Broadcasting added to his portfolio in 1958.Important New Post in W. Samoa ''Pacific Islands Monthly'', March 1958 In 1960 he participated in the
Constitutional Assembly
A constituent assembly (also known as a constitutional convention, constitutional congress, or constitutional assembly) is a body assembled for the purpose of drafting or revising a constitution. Members of a constituent assembly may be elected b ...
and was one of the signatories of the new constitution. He was re-elected in
1961
Events January
* January 3
** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba ( Cuba–United States relations are restored in 2015).
** Aero Flight 311 ...
,
1964
Events January
* January 1 – The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved.
* January 5 - In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the fifteenth century, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch ...
and
1967
Events
January
* January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair.
* January 5
** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...
, retaining his ministerial portfolio under Prime Minister Fiame Mata'afa following each election. Although he was re-elected again in
1970
Events
January
* January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC.
* January 5 – The 7.1 Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli intensity of X (''Extrem ...
, Mata'afa lost the election for Prime Minister and Galu was not appointed to a post in the new cabinet. He did not contest the 1973 elections.
Galu died in October 1975 at the age of 73. He was survived by his wife and their four adopted daughters.