"Civilisation And

Progress"

What is Happening to the Young Tongan?

Letter to the Editor IMMEDIATELY following is an extract from a speech delivered in the Tongan Parliament on high authority a few years ago (1927): — “While we are endeavouring to make this little country keep pace with larger countries in civilisation and pro gress, in those things which add to its wisdom, development and well-being, it cannot be achieved by lying down, or sitting still, or even standing; but we must step out and continue step ping out, and indeed run, if we are to achieve the prosperity and condition we desire.”

As an indication of how this policy is working out, the following are a few of the cases which came up for hearing in the Supreme Court of Tonga before the Chief Justice (Mr. W H. Stuart) at the March, 1939, sittings;—

This is what a hopelessly wrong sys tem of education and lack of discipline is doing for the Tongan. The cinema, no doubt, is a contributing factor and the complete ignorance of both teachers and parents in bringing up native children is another.

The youth of Tonga is now far ad vanced on the road to “civilisation and progress”, according to their own stand ards, and the distance they have travel led in a few years should satisfy the most ambitious! The outlook for the men and women of to-morrow is appalling.

I am etc.,

Perturbed.

Nukualofa, March 11, 1939.

Mrs. Martha Compain, wife of Mr.

Charles Compain, of Fiji, recently died at Ellington.

Miss M. B. Shah, of Fiji, has been awarded a scholarship for nursing, ten able in India.

Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Putnam, of U.S.A., who were in Sydney in April, in tended to charter a yacht in which they will travel across the Pacific to Tahiti.

Mr. J. A. Cattell, who was merchandise manager for Messrs. Bums, Philp &’ Co., at Makambo, Solomon Islands for some years, is now managing a general store at Tullibigeal, N.S.W.

Name.

Village.

Crime. Sentence.

Olesa Lapaha.

Burning an- 12 strokes, other native.

Jione Aisea.

Kolovai Stealing. 1 year.

Seini Moala. Girls’ College.

Forgery. Probation, Latu.

Tokomololo.

Rape. 3 years.

Sefo.

Lapaha Rape of 7 child. years.

Toupili, Tatakamotoga.

Malicious 3 wounding. years.

Mataele.

Nukualofa.

Assault and 3 battery. months and 2 strokes.

Asipa.

Haasini.

Sexual inter-9 course by trickery. months.

Tavake.

Attempted 2 rape. years.

Uliti Palu.

Nukualofa.

Perjury. 3 years.