Is Tonga Well Governed?

Letter to the Editor.

IHAVE read with interest the reports of interviews with people who haye visited our Islands, but I am afraid they give tlfeir opinions regarding the government of the Kingdom, the way in which laws are administered, and how they are regarded by the natives in a thoughtless manner.

I have been in Tonga for many years, and I have no hesitation in stating that there is not one decent European in the Tonga Group who is dissatisfied with the present system of government.

Neither have I heard complaints from anyone except a dismissed" Government official, or some person anxious to pro cure a position for himself.

A recent visitor to Tonga seems to

Tongans by Sir Basil Thompson in 1900 is not taken seriously by the natives.

I fail to see in what more serious light they can be expected to look upon it, unless they make use of it in place of their Bible. There has been in exist ence a treaty between Great Britain and Tonga since 1879, and not once has there been any attempt to break through the same. I consider Great Britain should feel highly satisfied with the work done by Sir Basil Thompson, who has procured all that is required in the way of a coaling station, land for forts, etc., while Queen Salote and a popula tion of about 30.000 not only watch over the Islands, but are ready and able to assist Great Britain in the defence of her Dominions against aggression. I consider this settlement quite sufficient, at the same time allowing a quiet and harmless people to live happy and con tent in their own way, on their own land and under their own much-beloved flag.

I am, etc.,

F. T. Goedicke.

Haapai, Tonga.

March 30. 1938.