Tonga Happy in British

Alliance

Letter to the Editor I READ with interest an article in an American magazine, which reports interviews with people who have visited Tonga. But I am afraid they gave only thoughtless opinions regarding the Government of the Group, the way in which laws are administrated, and how they are regarded by the natives.

I have been in Tonga close on 60 years, and I have no hesitation in stating that there is not one decent European or Ton gan who is dissatisfied with the present Government. Neither have I heard com plaint from anyone except a dismissed Government official or some person anxious to procure advantage for himself.

The writer in this American magazine seems to think that the Treaty negotiated in 1900 by Basil Thompson 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 existence a Treaty between Great Britain and Tonga since 1879, and not once has there

been any attempt to break the same.

Article I of this Treaty provides that the King of Tonga agrees that he will have no relation of any sort with a foreign Power concerning the alienation of any land, or any demand for monetary com pensation. In Article 11, the King of Tonga .agrees that British officers shall at all times have free access to the waters and harbours of Tonga, and also agrees to lease to Britain a suitable site or sites, in any harbour or harbours in Tonga, for the purpose of establishing a station, or stations, for the coaling and repair of British ships, I consider Great Britain should feel highly satisfied with the work done by Basil Thompson, who procured all that in the way of coaling sta tic®, land for forts, etc. Queen Salote and a population of over 32,000 have the advice of a British Consul who has the welfare of the Tongans at his heart.

Britain not only watches over these islands, but is ready and able to assist us in the defence of our land against any foreign Power, should the necessity arise.

I consider this settlement quite suffi cient. There is no need for Tonga to burden itself with more expense. The present arrangement allows 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.

Before Chief Judge Young and four assessors, a Samoan, Fa’afoi, was recently charged in Apia, W. Samoa, with the murder of Lafoga, of Fasitootai. After lengthy deliberations, the accused was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.