Mission Influence

In Tonga

Alleged Interference With Government

ALMOST from the time that Tonga came under European influence, there has been trouble between the civil ians and the missionary bodies. Persons acquainted with Pacific history will re collect a bad period in Tonga, when powerful missionary influence, under a gentleman named Shirley Baker, abso lutely controlled the islands, and almost caused a revolution.

Mission activity is necessary, especi ally in countries where there is a colour ed race, controlled by a dominant white race. But whenever missionaries have se cured complete administrative power, there has been serious political confus ion and social disturbance.

Apparently, judging by the letters we receive, many people believe that Tonga is headed for another period of trouble, as a result of missionary influence with the Government.

The Methodist Church is all-powerful in Tonga, and the Royal Family, which practically rule the territory, are ard ent church-goers. It is said that no im-« portant step is taken by the Government, nowadays, unless the Royal advisers (the Methodist missionaries) are first consult ed. This system has caused bitter critic ism.

The following is from a letter to the editor. It was not written for publica tion, and it is typical of several com munications:— “The Wesleyan Mission, which is a branch of the Methodist Church of Aus tralasia (famous in other parts of the Pacific) is bidding for a position of para mount political power in Tonga. The first question to be answered in the af firmative by any successful native appli cant for a position in the Government is ‘Are you a Wesleyan?’ At the last elec tion of people’s representatives in the Tongan Parliament (chock-a-block with nominated Wesleyans already) the in struction went forth from the Mission pulpits to vote for three named individu als, thereby turning their chapels for the nonce into election agencies. At the annual collections from natives of money for the Mission, the services of high, per sonages in the State—very high—were re quired to use their influence to drag the last penny out of the poverty-stricken ad herents. Not only that. The sentiments of the people were stirred at these col lections by public reference to their dead relations exhorting them to contribute lib erally in memory of their departed. This is a very sensitive spot to a Tongan, and that it should be exploited for the ma terial ends of a mission is unfortunate”.