Gustav Betham
Gustav "Gus" Frederick Dertlag Betham (born April 11, 1915 in Western Samoa ; † March 31, 1984 ibid) was a Samoan politician and diplomat .
biography
Betham, who also had the Samoan name Fereti Misipita, entered the public service after attending school and thus still during the League of Nations mandate . He began his political career shortly after New Zealand's status was converted into a UN trusteeship territory in 1946, when he was elected a member of the Legislative Council in 1948. The following year he was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly and was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1949 until 1971.
In 1961 he was appointed finance minister by Prime Minister Mata'afa Mulinu'u II in his government, to which he was a member until 1969. He was a member of the first Samoa government after the independence of New Zealand on January 1, 1962.
On November 1, 1971, he was appointed Secretary General of the South Pacific Commission , an international organization with the aim of the social and economic development of its member states in the South Pacific through expert and advisory activities. He held this office until November 30, 1975.
Most recently, Gus Betham was High Commissioner Samoas in New Zealand.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Betham, Gustav |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Betham, Gus; Betham, Gustav Frederick Dertlag (full name); Misipita, Fereti (Samoan name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Samoan politician and diplomat |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 11, 1915 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Western Samoa |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 31, 1984 |
| Place of death | Western Samoa |