Tonga Closer To Independence

King Tafa’ahau of Tonga will visit Britain at the end of the year to open negotiations for the complete transfer of power from Britain to Tonga. This transfer is guaranteed m the new Treaty of Friendship which was signed m Nukualofa on May 30.

The treaty was signed by British Commissioner and Consul, Mr- A. C.

Reid, on behalf of Britain, and Premier Prince Tu’ipelehake, on be half of Tonga.

On the same day that the treaty was signed the Honorary Order of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) was con ferred upon King Taufa ahau.

Until the arrangement for the com plete transfer of power is made, Britain is responsible for Tonga’s foreign affairs. However, British controls on Tonga’s internal policy were reduced with the signing of the new treaty (F/M, March, p. IB).

Under the new treaty, each nation may cancel the sections in the old Treaty of Friendship referring to British controls.

This will have the effect of draw ing the teeth from the old treaty and leaving a simple Treaty of Friendship which states that “there shall be per petual peace and friendship between Her Britannic Majesty and His Majesty, the King of Tonga”.

The original Treaty of Friendship was drawn up in May, 1900, when some of the big powers of the day were attempting to gain a foothold

in the Pacific. Britain had takei Tonga under her protection becaus* Tonga was not in a position to safe guard her own interests.

When Tonga gains full indepen dence she will be free to apply fo membership of the United Nation (and other world councils) and fu membership of the British Commor wealth.

Tonga has appealed to NZ an Australia to support her in her appl cation for full membership of tt Commonwealth when this matu comes up at the next meeting of tt Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

In a message to Tonga to mark tl signing of the new treaty, Quee Elizabeth said: “Although great di tance separates our two countrie they have for long been close each other in spirit, and it is n sincere wish that the new treaty w continue to foster the same friend relations as have in the past be< enjoyed between us.”

Before the signing ceremony held in the Cabinet Room of t Premier’s office—Mr. Reid, accoi panied by Commander D. J.

Chapman and Lieutenant P. Frankl both of the British destroyer HIV Carysfort, paid an official call King Taufa’ahau, at the Palace.

At the signing of the Treaty of Friendship in Nukualofa, the British Consul, Mr.

A. C. Reid, hands his copy to Tonga's Premier Prince Tu'ipelehake.