Tongan independence

Sir,

The Tonga feature in the August 1996 issue of Pacific Islands Monthly refers to Tonga as regain ing its independence from Britain in 1970. This is quite a paradox - how could Tonga regain something that it had never lost in the first place?

For your information, Tonga alone among all of the Islands of the Pacific emerged from the era of Pacific colonial

isation with its sovereignty intact. No small feat, given the acquisitive nature of the European powers at the time.

It is true that Tonga was a British pro tectorate from about 1879 until about 1970. This relationship is variously described within historical papers of the Western Pacific High Commission as a formally independent kingdom acting under informal advice and that of a small independent state that usually acts under the friendly advice of a greater power In either case, a far cry from being a colony. In neither case, a loss of indepen dence or sovereignty.

Tongans are quite - and justifiably proud of their heritage, their history, and their independence. I appreciate having had the opportunity to correct this unwit ting error.

Denis Wolff

Executive Director Tonga Trust (ESP)