Socialism In

Tonga

THE little kingdom of Tonga is without a parallel in the countries of the world, for it has neither poverty nor crime, nor a national debt; while a system of virtual land nationalisation prevails.

The Government is constitutional, with the British Consul and Agent as the power behind the throne. The people are prosperous and happy. The conditions of life are easy, and every Tongan has his bit of land. Education is universal and the Tongan’s health is well looked after by European doctors and native medical practitioners.

While there is no poverty in Tonga, there is no wealth. The immemorial tribal system is opposed to the accumulation of property. A man’s relatives have the right to come and live with him, and share what he possesses.

Some years ago a very high chief lost his wife, and married a Samoan of high rank. One result was that he was bothered by his wife’s Samoan relations, who were all related to him because they were related to her. These Samoans came to Tonga with nothing; they returned with well-stocked sandalwood chests, which they had “cadged” from their relation’s husband. He would not break Polynesian etiquette by refusal—he would rather be heavily in debt to the traders!

In Tonga one may see the strength and weakness of Socialism—“a people without poverty, but a people without in dividualism”. The Tongan may be ready to utilise the inventions and discoveries of others, but he will not invent or dis cover for himself. The man who wants to rise above his fellows had better leave the country. .

To those whose ideal of life will be realised in short hours of labour, abun dance of food, and neither poverty nor riches, Tonga is a Utopia.

But whether humanity at large would be content with that Utopia becoming world-wide is a matter of speculation.

Social and economic conditions will alter in our civilised lands —but those changes will not follow the Polynesian pattern.

—F. T. Goedicke.