Tonga

Plea for Political Reform in Tonga

Letter to the Editor

AS a member of the Tongan Legisla tive Assembly—having been elected by a large majority of the Vava’u constituency for over six years as their representative—l feel it a duty, to make known to the public through your popular Islands paper, the state of affairs in this little island kingdom of Tonga.

Tonga, as most of your readers know, is an independent island kingdom, ruled by Tongans, with a Queen at its head.

By a Treaty with Great Britain, made in 1879, we are under her protection, rep resented by a British Consul who is “to be consulted and his advice taken.”

Legislation is made and unmade by a House of Parliament which sits once a year. With the exception of the Minister of Finance, who is a European, the mem bers are all Tongans.

There are three “parties”; the Govern ment, the Nobles and the People’s Rep-

resentatives—seven members to each party. The people’s representatives con sist of two from Vava’u (I being one of the two), two from Ha’apai, and three from the main island of Tongatapu. The Government party consist of the Premier, the Minister of Lands, the Minister of Police, the Minister of Finance, the Min ister of Works and the two Governors of Ha’apai and Vava’u.

As these seven Ministers and seven Nobles were appointed in the first place by the Queen, the People’s Representa tives, elected by the people, have no earthly chance in any debate in the “House,” for it is only natural that the other two parties stick together and decide every issue. It is no wonder that demo cratic procedure is nil here, and the “voice” of the people is rather faint.

Obviously, the solution should be a re construction of our system of representa tion, either by reducing the number of nobles or increasing the number of People’s representatives.

Now that income tax on European firms has been passed by Parliament, it would be only fair that they should be repre sented in Parliament; for there are many commercial problems that crop up from time to time, and the commercial ex perience of these people would be valuable to us Tongans, who do not know anything

at all, worth knowing, in the commercial field.

Unless there is a change of system the state of affairs of this little country will, I am afraid, go from bad to worse.

It is hoped that these lines will be read, not only by the ordinary reader, but by those higher up, who may have some in fluence to rescue us in time.

It is far too early to expect us to manage our own affairs in our own way. It has been proved, over and over again, in the world to-day that certain peoples, or races, cannot be left to themselves; and it is no wonder Communism has thrived. I, as a Tongan, can see the folly that some misguided people are advocating—viz., that we are capable of managing our own affairs.

How can a young country, with little or no experience and with hardly any educa tion worthwhile, talk about managing its vital affairs, such as Government adminis tration and the complications of economics? The folly of this is proved every day here. I refer to serious mis takes that are being made by Government

S. P. Afuhaamango.

officials, the unlawful use of Government monies in trading deals, and the un- I authorised drawings of materials by certain Ministers from the Public Works Department (to which I have referred in the House). Favouritism and unfair trials, flimsy charges, too many appoint ments of family and friends, unfair dis missals. and incompetency and chaos are widespread.

I am, sir,

S. P. Afuha'amango,

Member Legislative Assembly.

Nukualofa, Tonga, 12/8/50.

The New Caledonian maize crop in 1950 is estimated at 2,000 tons, The General Council has fixed a guaranteed price of 5,000 francs a ton for highest quality, but local traders complain that they get too much low quality grain. To encourage export, the Administration is waiving the export tax of six per cent, for France and 11 per cent, for foreign countries.

The Catalina stuck fast between two coral heads.