"Thou shalt

not swim"

Prom a Nukualofa correspondent Tonga’s Sunday observance law, that “it shall not be lawful to do work or play games or trade on the Sabbath”, brought some of the population to near screaming point on a hot Janu ary Sunday. At Monatapu beach, Tongatapu, a Jeepload of police arrived, not in uni form, but using police whistles quickly cleared the water of swimmers. Those people pic nicking on the beach were also ordered away in case they later took to the water. The police warned that in future buses and cars heading for the beaches would be turned back The law has come to accept the shattering roar of diesels generating electricity on Sun day, and public utilities such as hospitals, telegraph and broad casting. Last year the seismic survey vessel was allowed to work Sunday. But you can’t go swimming; you can’t ever take a bus or taxi to church.

It’s not the Sabbath that’s so annoying—it’s the inconsistency.