Queen Slows
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
Opening Of Hotel Delayed
Mourning For
Tongan Life
Affairs in the Kingdom of Tonga are still very much dominated by the six months period of mourning for Queen Salote, who died in December.
THE coronation of King Taufa’ahau won’t be held until the mourning period has ended, and unofficial sources indicate it may be about August.
Tonga’s tourist plans have been delayed by the mourning period and the big new Government-owned Dateline Hotel at Nukualofa is not now expected to open before August.
Much of the delay is due to the lag in ordering furnishings.
It is possible the hotel will be partly occupied in May, when a WHO meeting takes place in Nukualofa, but entertainment at the hotel would be curtailed. Feasts would be allowed, and local string bands could play provided they per formed no national music or dancing.
No Traditional Dances
It has been feared in Nukualofa that the ban on all traditional danc ing and music could discourage the many cruise ships due to call during the next few months, but no concella tions have been received and there is still much to interest the tourist.
Tours of sight-seeing spots are available and a large selection of Tongan handicrafts are offering at exceptionally low prices.
The King’s coronation will certainly be a big tourist draw.
King Taufa’ahau has meanwhile announced the appointment of his brother, Prince Tu’ipelehake, as Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, Agriculture and Works.
Mahe U. Tupouniua, in addition to being Minister of Finance, is now also Deputy Premier, S. A. Laufili tonga Tuita has been appointed Minister of Lands and Health. A new Governor of Vava’u, to replace Laufilitonga Tuita, has yet to be named. • See "Tonga's Traders Hard Hit/ 1 p. 137.