responsible government was not introduced until 1967. a four-member executive council had existed from 1904, but it was not a cabinet in the modern sense: it was appointed by the colonial governor and responsible to him alone. the first step towards adoption of the westminster system of responsible government was taken in 1964 with the adoption of the member system, whereby 3 members of the legislative council (one from each ethnic constituency) were appointed to the executive council and given portfolio responsibilities supervising government departments. they were not "ministers" in the modern sense, however, as they were still responsible only to the governor and could not be dismissed by the legislative council. in 1967, however, a full ministerial system was adopted, with a cabinet responsible to the legislature. ratu kamisese mara (who was subsequently knighted in 1969) was appointed as the first chief minister.