I am sad to know that Tofa Lauofo Meti has passed away peacefully. Lauofo has served the Samoan Government of Samoa exceedingly well and this is manifested by the many posts which he held before he retired from public service. I just hope and pray that Lauofo would be welcomed by our Almighty Father in Heaven.

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the recent passing away in NZ of a great person and wonderful friend Lauofo Meti. He was there during our Independence which he recorded and was able to pass on to the people of Samoa in his book. His service and dedication to our country cannot be challenged or rarely equallled. This is evident also in the outstanding achievements of his two sons Vaatuitui Apete and Fonotoe Pierre at this time for Samoa. We pray for Gods blessings for Lupe and all of Lauofo Met'is family as well as our love and sincere condolences at the loss of a great person.

Afioga Lauofo Meti was a devoted Public Servant, Statesman and a highly respected member of the business community. A self-made man, his duty and devotion to serve his fellowmen and country were just exemplary.
Ia manuia lau faigamalaga.
Condolences to Mrs Lauofo, Fonotoe and family.
Lauofo would be smiling from the heavens for this poem. The author is anonymous.
REMEMBERED JOY
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief-
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

May he rest in peace.
Uncle Lauofo, you will be dearly missed by our family.

I knew Lauofo Meti as Mike during the time he and I attended Victoria University, Wellington, together in the 1950's, and during the time he and I worked together in the Central Office, Apia, from 1959 until 1964. Mike was Secretary to the Constitutional Steering Committee, and Secretary to Cabinet at the same time. Steering Committee and Cabinet business were strictly confidential. Sometime I got lucky to be privy to some of the secrets through Nua Etene Saaga ( Translator ), and Mike. The most important piece of information I got from Mike was about the riot in the last meeting of the Constitutional Steering Committee between its Samoan members and the European representatives. Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole and Tualaulelei Mauri claimed that Europeans should not be included in Cabinet. This was supported by every Samoan Committee member. The result was havoc and name calling. However a pleasnt and joyful settlement was effected by Anapu Solofa, Samoa's first Minister of Justice. Anapu said that the European representatives were actually sons of Samoa as they decsended from from Tupu o Samoa. Eugen F. Paul was the son of Alai'asa, Francis C.F.Nelson was the son of LeLa'ulusa, and Frederich Betham the son of Fuamatu. These were royal families of Samoa, said Anapu. Therefore the word "European" should be replaced by the word "Ta'ito'atasi" and the Palota Ta'ito'atasi came into being. They still claim their European and Foreign status but instead of voting as Europeans they were now voting as Individuals ( Ta'ito'atasi). Further, the Individual Voters' Roll should be developed to include any Samoan Citizen who did not want to vote as a matai but as an Individual taule'ale'a.