THE CRISIS in TONGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 172, 23 July 1890, Page 5

THE CRISIS in TONGA.

THE THREATS OF ASSASSINATION.

The Islands Virtually Annexed

In the course of his interview with our reporter yesterday, the Rev. Shirley Baker, late Premier of Tonga, said :—

Aftor receiving the firsb letber from the High Commissioner, the Consul called my attention to the last paragraph, offering me accommodation on the Rapid, as my life was in danger. I Baid that was all bunkum. As 1 saw that a number of- chiefs were going to the King, I wenb over bo hear what they had to say. The two principal spokesmen said they had come from the Governor to tell the King that I had been deported in consequence of an arrangement made between England, Germany, America and France, and that the High Commissioner had come, because he was the nearest, to carry oub their wishes, and that I had written most insulting lettors to England and Germany, that had Tonga been a great power war would have ensued. They also said that I had libelled British officers in the Government Blue Books, and had used the King's name to documents of greatest importance, as would be seen hereafter ; that I had not accounted for Government revenue, and thab nothing was ever published like other nations of the earth.

Reporter : " Were these statements all false?"

■Mr Baker : " Most undoubtedly. They also referred to the laws of Tonga being ono day one thing and the next another, and also said bhab the taxes were most excessive."

Reporter: " Were the taxes so heavy ?" Mr Baker : " The taxes were all passed by the Parliament, and nob by myself. Reasons were then given to the King why I should be deported, bub nothing was told him that I was deported as an act of kindness to save my life."

Reporber : " Wero you iv any danger?" Mr Baker : " I was nob aware of any danger of assassination from tho natives, but 1 did receive impertinence from the whitee. The King told me not to give up the keys until he told me to do so. Within an hour my guard was withdrawn and my servants, so that there was no one lefb to watch me if I was in danger. Guards were sent from the Rapid to protect tbe King and to prevent me seeing him. I went to the palace on Sunday morning, but was refused admission by the British marines. Alter service the Governor, who had gone to tbe Free Church service, sent to Fatafehi to Btate thab be would be appointed Premior. On Monday the Governor stated tbat two Europeans, a secretary and treasurer, would be sent from Fiji, and that bhe Tongan Government must provide houses for them. But they would be paid by bhe British Government." Reporter : "That looks very like annexation." ' ' Mr Baker: "I consider myself that it is virtually annexation. Ho previous meetings of the natives wero held to discuss the matter. A meeting of the nobles, was held at 9.30 in the morning, at which the new Ministry was appointed.

Auckland, July 23. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your reporter in condensing his notes of my interview with him has fallen into one br two errors, which may I please ask you to rectify. "Nob fib to govern": The High Commissioner certainly did not say this. It was I who said, "did he expect me to go to the King and say he was getting too old, and had therefore better appoint a committee as he was unable to manage the affairs of the Governmenb ?"

The paragraph, " Having been deported to Fiji," should read :—" I had on a former occasion taken action with regard to the King's .having deported people to Haapai and Vavau.'—Yours, etc., .

Shirley W. Baker.