Impeachments

Extraordinary Occurrences in Tonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, July 18.

DURING the present session of Parlia ment, the Premier (Hon. Tugi), the Minister for Lands (Hon. Ata), the Minister for Police (Hon. Akauola), the Governor of Haapai (Hon. Akauola) and the Governor of Vavau (Hon. Ulukalala) were impeached by the senior Parlia mentary representative of the people for Vavau, Hon. Afuhaamago, on the ground of maladministration.

The charges were heard before the Parliamentary Tribunal, which, presided over by the Chief Justice (Hon. W. H.

Stuart) returned a verdict of not guilty in all cases except that of the Governor

of Vavau, which has been adjourned for trial at some later date.

In the history of Parliamentary im peachments in Tonga, there never have been so many impeachments made simultaneously in any one session of Parliament.

It Is a matter of historical interest to recall that it was Hon. Afuhaamago’s father, who, as Parliamentary Repre sentative of the people, impeached the former Premier, the late Hon. Jiosateki Veikune, for maladministration, before Parliament, which resulted in the lat ter’s dismissal from office and his deportation to Fiji by the High Com missioner for the Western Pacific, in 1904.

It is recalled, too, that the late Hon.

Jione Tubou Faletau was impeached before Parliament and dismissed from office when he was Governor of Vavau, about 1912.