Impeachment in Tonga!

Who says it is impossible to impeach a cabinet minister in Tonga?

Well, it nearly happened had not the nobles’ representatives in parliament sided with the government in averting the impeachment of the acting Minister of Finance, Dr S. Tapa.

A few weeks ago, one of the Vavau people’s representatives, Mr Masao Paasi, moved in the House for the impeachment of the acting Minister of Finance for what, he alleged, was unlawful use of public funds.

In October, 1975, the acting Minister of Finance, following a Privy Council decision, appropriated $201,000 to purchase additional shares from the national shipping line, Pacific Navigation Company Ltd, in a move designed to assist the sinking line.

Early this year, the minister again, following a Privy Council decision, appropriated another $150,000 from public revenue to settle part of Pacific Navigation Company Ltd’s outstanding debts to its Australian agents, Karlander. This debt was incurred in the charter of the Tauloto 11, a charter that has cost Tonga thousands of dollars which it could ill-afford.

Mr Paasi, moving for the im-

peachment of the minister, argued that neither the minister nor Privy Council had any authority to use any public funds without prior ap proval of the House except in cases of emergency or national disaster, Government counter-argued that Privy Council had such a right.

Under the provisions of the con stitution, however, it seems clear that no one, including Privy Council, had any such rights, Some have argued, though govern ment did not adopt this line of reasoning, that the national ship ping line is a national disaster, for it certainly has been just that. I feel certain, however, that the intention behind the relevant sections of the constitution cannot be construed in this matter.

The debate on the issue was like a breath of fresh air even though it became very heated at times, and credit for this must go to Mr Paasi for it is certainly a very difficult thing in Tonga to do what Mr Paasi has done. One simply does not openly challenge a Privy Coun cil decision. Unfortunately, for Mr Paasi and a lot of interested people who wanted the issue settled in court, the majority of the nobles’ representatives sided with the government in successfully aver ting the impeachment.