On The Breadline In Tonga

February and March were a time of shortages and rising prices in Tonga.

By mid February all major construction work had ceased or were proceeding at a very slow pace as stocks of cement were running out. The Government Stores and the large importing firms held no reserve stocks of cement because of a seasonal lack of shipping from Australia through Fiji. City roads and the main sealed highways across Tongatapu deteriorated rapidly through in creasing heavy traffic and the summer rains. Because there was no pitch or tar on the island, road construction and repairs ceased for months. Potholes grew larger and more numerous and driving anywhere became a hazard and a source of acute discomfort.

The worst shortage, however, was of consumer goods, especially the staple items of flour and sugar. Like most Polynesians, Tongans have a very sweet tooth and are also great bread-eaters. During this period these items were rationed and queues around the shops became a common sight. Finally flour stocks were virtually exhausted and several large bakeries closed down alto gether. One of them, by arrangement, was able to carry on baking enough bread for the island’s large Vaiola hospital. It was mid March before the shortages were relieved.

Food prices also rose sharply in the last three months. Price control is strict m Tonga, but it cannot bring down landed costs. The lack of any likely rise in wages among the kingdom’s work force makes the problem a grim one for many.