Prosperity and Church

Funds Grow in Tonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, June 18.

rHE present prosperity now enjoyed by the Tongans, as a result of the high price of copra, is reflected in the of some of our denominational icdies.

Ferro-concrete chapels are springing up n villages throughout the Kingdom. Re ently the secretary of the Church of n onga, an offshoot of the Wesleyans, isited Auckland, where he purchased two arge trucks, a sedan car and a lighting ilant, besides negotiating for the pur hase of a large auxiliary vessel for his hurch.

Not to be outdone by its rival’s show f worldly wealth, the Free Church of ’onga, another offshoot of the Wesleyans. 3 also negotiating for the purchase of large power-driven vessel of about 80 Dns carrying capacity. The Wesleyan Jhurch, too, will replace its old cutter Fetu’u’aho” by a two-masted schooner.

The “Misinales” —annual cash collec ions—conducted by the various churches rere marked by large individual contri utions. As much as £2OO were given by sveral of the “faithful.”

This open-handed giving in the cause f religion is a trait of Tongans. How ver, it is not so much a matter of “it ; more blessed to give than to receive” s a matter of prestige and the notion hat the fellow who gives more will have lore chance of successfully cajoling St. eter to let him through the pearly gates, hese gifts are given in friendly rivalry, owever. and the money is put to useful urposes.

The Ouaco rpeatworks on the west coast of New Caledonia sold produce of the net value of 30,000,000 francs during 1947.

Besides canned meat, the company now sells canned fish and vegetables, soap,

tallow, coconut oil, oil-cake, and hides, The works, under the management of an Australian, Colonel Dix, has long played an invaluable part in the agricultural life of the colony.