Its Women

Building Tonga Through

“17' OE Langa Fonua a e Fefine Tonga” is the name of the Tongan women’s organisation inaugurated by Queen Salote three years ago. It has now a member ship of several hundred.

Active branches are meeting regularly in villages throughout Tongatapu and in Vava’u. The parent branch is in Nuku’alofa. to which village representatives come each quarter.

Her Majesty is the President of of the organisation, the principal aims of which are the building up of Tonga through its women.

Towards this end a higher standard of living conditions in the home, vegetable and flower gardens are encouraged.

An annual Show of the Tongan women’s arts, crafts, needlework, crochet, tatting, knitting, flowers, vegetables and livestock is held.

Prizes are awarded in all sections to the best entries. A beautifully polished tortoise-shell shield is awarded annually to the best-kept village.

The Langa Fonua, as it is commonly called, is affiliated with the Pan-Pacific Women’s Associa tion, whose Nuku’alofa branch is responsible for publishing a small

magazine for distribution among the members of Langa Fonua.

Current enthusiasm for members is to improve the diet of their families towards more healthful living. Mrs. L. Protheroe regularly visits meetings in the villages giving cookery demonstrations and helpful advice on the better use of indigenous foods

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