The Tongan Islands

That Typical Tongan —The Payment of Copra Duty

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, Nov. 10.

THE publication in the second issue of The Pacific Islands Monthly of the Tongan who netted £55 a year for the copra on his selection has now produced a host of supermen from other parts of the Group.

A Vavau man writes: “That man was a loafer compared with my native neighbour who, in the last four years, out of copra, has cleaned up £80 a year off an 8-acre block after paying all expenses.”

And this is one from Haapai: “What is the matter with that Tongan in Nukualofa who can only knock out £55 from his allotment? Is he para lysed or tubercular? If not, I can quote you any one of fifty ”

To stop all this I feel it incumbent on me to say that I was not out to establish a record with my Tongan friend at all. I simply state again that he is a fairly industrious native who seems contented with his lot (except for that egg-eating pig) and, from what I know of him, breaking records is not his “strong suit.”

In fairness to the Editor, I must pro test against the gambling spirit which seems to be creeping in, and I can as sure each and every one of you that, no matter how much you stimulate your favorite Tongan grower with sub sidies and such-like to produce the peak result, there will be no prize donated by the P.I.M. I know that it is usual with some publications to offer a trophy to the fisherman who leg ropes the biggest crayfish, and the naturalist who gathers in the longest blue-tailed lizard, but, you island gamblers, clear your brains of the hope that you will gather in any Press honorarium for exhibiting the best copra-producing native . . . Cut it right out!

The Copra Duty

It has been pointed out that there was—what appeared on the face of it to be —a serious omission when that statement of a Tongan taxpayer’s con tributions to the Treasury by way of taxation was compiled in your corres pondent’s article in the September is sue.

Figures have been produced to show and on these figures it is claimed that the average taxpayer (or “abi” holder) contributed roughly a further £3 in copra export fees to the Government.

The figures do not lie either! It is in dubitable that the Government cer tainly did get £16,000 from the copra shipped last year, and the ardent critic, after ascertaining the number of “abi” holders in the Kingdom, makes out a pretty good case.

But now let us see if “dummy” (the taxpayer) really is being stung for this further £3 per annum. When the tax of 15/- per ton was originally schedul ed by the Government, “dummy” was thought deserving of consolation —and got it —until the bubble was burst by the copra buyers. “The taxpayer be hanged,” said the prominent buyers in unison, “he has nothing to worry about; we can’t pass it on to the fel low' with his basket of copra, and the Government knows it. No! It’s a crack at us, and we have to stand the racket.”

Two years ago the tax was increas ed to 20/- and, once again, there was an outcry from the buyers. If they could not hand on the original 15/in fractions of a penny they certainly couldn’t pass on the further five —and they said so, very forcibly too. So, once again sympathy was diverted from the “abi” holder to the unfortu nate buyer.

And when the executive were con sidering ways and means of relieving the taxpayer this year, it was the very knowledge that if the buyer could not—and therefore did not —pass the duty on to “dummy” it was ridiculous to suppose that, if the Government lifted the duty, the buyer would —even if he could—relieve the taxpayer by passing any benefit on. And why should he? Copra buyers are not benevolent institutions.

So now we have the position clearly defined. It is the poor buyer and not old “dummy” who is swelling the Government coffers to the extent of £16,000 per annum and every body will be glad to get that cleared up. I know; and “dummy,” with his basket of “green,” smiles one time . . .

Hifofua To Be Laid Up

The Government despatch vessel Hifofua, is, according to the latest re ports, to be laid un indefinitely at Nukualofa, pending the report of some committee or other which is to meet at some future date and decide on the type of engine that may be installed in her hull. It is not expected that she will be in commission before the end of next year.

The other vessel of our fleet, the To bago. is to go away somewhere this month, either to Fiji or Auckland, for re-coppering and general overhaul.

Personal And Social

Leaving Tonga by the incoming Tofua this month, Mr. Macreadie (of Levers’) and his good lady will carry with them the knowledge that they

have left behind on this tropic isle many very sincere friends. During their stay, covering the best part of a year, they certainly have made them selves popular with the local folk. It is extremely doubtful if, as host and hostess, they can be excelled anywhere; certainly not in this island group and with the farewell on “steamer day,” there will be many expressions of hope that they will return.

Mr. C. E. Dalton, who for some time has been managing the Vavau branch of Morris Hedstrom’s activities, has been appointed accountant at the head office in Nukualofa; and we learn that he is a particularly happy man just now, for a wireless message just to hand, conveys the good news that Mrs. Dalton (Sydney) has presented him with a son.

Mr. Knapp, late of Tahiti, who re cently leased 1000 acres of soil on the island of Eua, is, we learn, timed to arrive back here from the United States early in the New Year.

Mr. A. G. Slocombe (of Levers’), ac companied by his bride, is due back in Tonga this month. Mr. Slocombe and Mr. Hutchison, of Vavau, have com pleted a six months’ tour of the Con tinent, so old friends can be depended upon to greet them with requests for a detailed account of their travels.

Mrs. Slocombe, by the way, is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.

Jones, of Nukualofa.

Mr. Ryder, who is so popular in Suva, has now transferred himself to Vavau where, as manager of Morris Hed strom’s branch, he will, as an old island man, assuredly make himself quickly at home in the business and social circles of that delightful port.

Of interest to the foreign and native population is the advice that an assistant medical officer has now been appointed to this island. Doctor Court ney, of Sydney, should arrive here at an early date, and Doctor Dawson (C.M.O.), who has been in demand day in and night out, will certainly be glad of his assistance.

Mr. Murray-Aynesley, of British Honduras, has been appointed by the Secretary of State to fill the Chief Justiceship recently vacated by Jus tice C. K. Horne, on his transfer to Gambia. The new Justice is expected to take up his duties here early in the New Year. In the meantime, Mr.

G. Scott, Land Judge, is locum tenens.

The Misses Cocker invited a host of friends to their well-appointed home on October 31, and these charming girls produced, as usual, a wonderful night of entertainment. The music was a revelation, the dancing floor not over-polished, the cooling drinks kept at the correct temperature, and the supper produced at the right time; so it is not surprising to learn that it was probably the most successful function of its kind up to date in the present year.

The output of Fiji’s five sugar mills in 1929 was about 90,000 tons, which was somewhat below normal. The re duction was mainly due to dry weather conditions, which adversely affected the crop in the early stages of its growth.

ON

New Guinea

Goldfields.

Gradually, slowly, roads are being constructed be tween the Morobe goldfields, New Guinea, and the coast.

Top picture shows a bridge across the Bulolo River.

In the bottom pic ture native la bourers are shown making a road through the jungle.