Tongan Notes

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, May 27-

RECENTLY there has been an outbreak of housebreaking, stealing, etc., and offenders are more or less youths of both sexes.

Dressed in a very wide pair of “Oxford bags,” sandshoes, shirt and tie, and a pair of spectacles, with a neat part in the middle of his hair, and armed with ancient magazines and out-of-date cata logues, one young man collected about £bo from the unwary inhabitants of out lying villages by presenting himself as an agent of a company (mythical, of course) formed to purchase copra at 121bs, for 1/-, and to sell flour at 21/- a sack (1501b5.). Thus garbed and armed, the youth presented so formidable a figure that the poor villages were overawed, and were easily victimised by his glib tongue and ready smile.

It is a far cry from Russia to Tonga, and it is a matter of surprise to learn that Mr. Stalin has a few comrades here.

A number of “hot-heads,” led by one Afuha’amago, and another, Taukolo Lagi, have been discussing the “rights and equality of man,” and have repeatedly petitioned Her Majesty the Queen to dis miss the Premier on grounds that appear to exist only in their imaginations.

Religious Squabbles

Rev. A. H. Wood, former Principal of Tubou College, who recently departed for Australia, caused quite a stir among re ligious circles here by committing to print, both in a pamphlet and the Tohi Fanogonogo (organ of the Free Wesleyan Church) the “history” of certain deno minations. This w r as intended solely for the theological students and preachers of the Free Wesleyan Church, but adherents of the churches concerned, unfortunately, did not relish the statements and re ferred to Mr. Wood’s action in strong termed criticisms. The poor Tongan looks on and wonders, for these bellicose ac tivities in the midst of followers of the simple Nazarene are contrary to His message of “peace unto earth and good will towards men,” which the early mis sionaries have taught him.

Regrettably, there has been far too much of this religious disputation going on here —and this at a period when it is the duty of all Christian bodies to co operate and devote their time and energy to combat the materialistic outlook which is the real menace in the life of the young generations of Tongans.

Effect Of Hurricane

The recent hurricane caused a setback to the banana export industry, but the Vava’u and Ha’apai Groups, which es caped the blow, came to the rescue, and

the Premier and Inspector of Agriculture make monthly trips to these northern groups to suprevise packing activities prior to the regular shipments on the Matua.

On Airmail Route

The Pan-Pacific clipper, on its survey trip from Pago Pago to Auckland, was sighted both on the outward and return flight by inhabitants of the island of Eua.

It is interesting to note that it was the inhabitants of this island who first saw the early explorers when these islands were discovered.