College

Free Church Versus

Wesleyans

Argument Over A Tongan College

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, June 2.

FORTY-EIGHT students, brave and true, from the Government College, have pledged their loyal service to uphold, without fear or favour, the arms and might of the British Empire in case of. a conflict with some foreign foe.

The pledge was in a letter to His Britannic Majesty King George VI., re cently presented to the British Agent and Consul, for conveyance to the King.

Unfortunately, the outspoken declara tion was not put through the proper channel, and the lads soon found them selves in the presence of Queen Salote, to whom the British Consul had rightly referred the “pledge”. Any illusions the fearless forty-eight might have had were soon dispelled by the sound, practical address Queen Salote gave them.

As a matter of fact, this outburst was nothing more than a kind of protest by the students against the proposal to move the Government College from Nukualofa to a site out in the country, which will be raised for discussion at the coming session of Parliament.

The question touches a vital spot in the life of the Tongan people—the an cient rivalry between the Wesleyans and the Free Church people. This was kind led during the notorious Baker regime and has been fanned by succeeding gen erations. until it has become a blaze which affects the vitality of the life of the tiny kingdom, and retards pro gress.

The Free Church people, who regard the Government College as their own, strongly oppose its proposed removal, for they believe that the Wesleyans are manoeuvring for the abolition of the Col lege.

Mr. L. S. Colebrook, of Numa Numa, Bougainville. N.G.. arrived in Sydney by the last “Malaita”.