Notes From Tonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa. Nov. 11.

THE People’s representatives in the Tongan Parliament this year claim they have “broken the ice,” so far as getting things done. Previous People’s representatives, they say, were either too slow and ignorant of the needs of the country, or too scared of their opposition —the Nobles and the Ministers. Whether this sudden enthusiasm will have results remains to be seen. We do know that our little Kingdom could do with some reforms and progress.

There is still talk of a new issue of Tongan stamps. For beautiful artistic designs for stamps, showing native scenery and native life in their natural colours, these islands are an artist’s paradise. We do not seem to be expert yet in this stamp business, although new issues are badly needed. The big profit from the Pitcairn and Tokelau issues ought to have been sufficient encourage ment for any Government stamp depart ment, yet we are still “considering” it.

We have now a CMO establishment that is a vast improvement on what it used to be, at the Vaiola Hospital. Manage ment there is carried out with clockwork precision, and serious cases are not told to go to Suva or Auckland for treatment —they are dealt with right here on the spot. Naturally, this progressive doctor has plans for greater improvements, but our Government is not reacting sharply, probably because of a fear of unnecessary expenditure. We can only hope that our CMO will not get discouraged.

Parliament rejected a garbage scheme for Nukualofa, proposed by the Medical Department. It is needless to point out the advantages of this scheme, from a public health point of view, but the “fakatonga” attitude prevails here still.

Not to be outdone, the MD has initiated a voluntary garbage scheme of its own, well supported by both Europeans and Tongans. The only flaw is that small traders are obliged to pay the same fees as the big firms. , .

The yawl bought by the Church of Tonga arrived here the other day from Wellington, Quite a crowd went down to meet this new addition to Tonga’s, inter island fleet of church boats, and dis appointment was rather marked among some of them. They had expected, for their £3,000, something big and strong made, to resist hurricanes and rough island handling, and not a show-piece, or pleasure craft that cannot stow copra and bulk cargoes. However, nothing can touch her here for fittings: with the exception of a radar outfit and hot and cold water, she has got them all.

Pastor J. A. Cormack, superintendent of Seventh Day Adventist Missions m the Cook Islands, arrived in Sydney m No vember. He is taking part in the SDA Conference, which is planning a wide re organisation of the system of controlling its mission work in the Pacific Islands.