Interview with Sir Robert Rex

Interview with Sir Robert Rex who was the Premier of Niue from self-government in 1974 until his death in 1992.

Robert Rex was born in Alofi on Niue in 1909. His father was European and his mother was Niuean. His father worked for Lever Brothers before establishing his own business which finished during World War I. Recalls his father leaving Niue and living in New Zealand, Western Samoa and Fiji before returning to Niue in 1946. Discusses his descendants on his father's side, who he traces back to an illegitimate relationship of George III, and his mother's family history. Mentions she was the daughter of a native pastor. Recalls her ability with herbal medicine. Describes his parents' local custom marriage.

Recalls walking six miles to school and spending some time in Fiji with his father though his mother mainly brought up the family. Describes how the Depression drove him out of Fiji and he returned to Niue and planted, fished and brewed. Talks about how he came to work for the Niuean Government while the Resident Commissioner was Captain Bell (1931-1942). Describes setting up a sawmill at the Tufukia School, working in the hospital dispensary, in the cargo shed, as temporary head of small works and as the Deputy Court interpreter. Mentions his role in land disputes listening to both parties and sometimes as acting Chief of Police. Tells the story of his courtship of Patricia Tuagatagaloa who he married in 1941.

Discusses the role of Captain William Moodie Bell who was involved in the plaited ware trade although, as Commissioner, he was not supposed to be involved in business. Describes his resignation. Notes that Moodie Bell was followed by McMahon Box as Commissioner with Mr Larsen as assistant to the Treasurer. Describes financial corruption exposed by Mr Larsen and how he became the Commissioner in 1943.

Describes leaving his civil servant's post in 1962 to concentrate on the trading business established by his wife in 1952. Notes that the shop was damaged beyond repair in the hurricanes of 1959-1960 and was rebuilt. Describes returning to the government as an elected representative of the Island Council after two years. Recalls the first election in 1959 and the role of the Resident Commissioner, Mr McMahon, in helping change the system from Island Council to Legislative Assembly. Notes that pastors appointed members to the Island Council before elections began in 1959. Discusses a standoff between the missionary Reverend Taylor and the Resident Commissioner, Mr Larsen, about packing and unpacking ships as part of the banana trade. Recalls the church's insistence that there be no work on Sunday and its discouragement of planting further banana palms. Comments on the uneasy relationship between church and state. Mentions the role of NZ Prime Minister Sir Peter Fraser. Describes the concern of Mr Larsen at the health of some of the villages and his eventual murder by three escaped prisoners.

Describes regional meetings attended as a public servant and Pacific Island leaders worked with. Recalls talking to the United Nations in 1973 about Niue's forthcoming constitutional changes.

Discusses the origin of the Niuean people, some of whom are originally from Samoa and some from Tonga. Comments on the north south division on the island and the effect of this in the Assembly. Describes the `taulaatua' (witch doctor). Describes some Niuean myths and the visit of Captain Cook to the islands, which resulted in them also being known as the Savage Islands. Comments on this. Describes how a Niuean, Nukai, was taken by missionaries in 1846, baptised Peniamina, trained and returned to the island to teach the gospel. Notes the first European missionary to the islands was Dr George Law from the London Missionary Society in 1861. Mentions visits by the missionary ship `John Williams'. Describes how Niueans were recruited for labour often in Queensland.

Interviewer(s) - Tony Johns

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008163 - OHC-008177

Tony Johns was Legal officer in Niue in 1976 and made these tapes.

Quantity: 15 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) (156 pages). 1 interview(s). 15 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2493.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLCD-0864 to OHLCD-0882 and digital copies