TONGAN ROYALTY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 290, 7 December 1932, Page 7

TONGAN ROYALTY

PRIME MINISTER HERE KINGDOM WITH A SURPLUS. PLENTY TO EAT FOR AIX. A picturesque personality on the deck of the Karetu when she arrived from Nukualofa this morning, with a cargo of bananas, was the Hon. Tugi, Prince Consort of Queen Salote Tubou, and Prime Minister of Tonga. He is accompanied by his eldest son, the Crown Prince Taufa'Ahau. The Prince Coneort, who was educated at Newington College, Sydney, has a cultured, musical voice and speaks perfect English. His eon, who is only 14 years of age, ia taller than his father, and looks at least 18 or 19. "His mother's family are all big people," commented the Prime Minister. "We are staying in New Zealand until January 23, when we will leave for Sydney. I am taking the prince to my old school, Newington."

The visitors were met in the stream by Mr. W. J. Truecott, a director of the firm of Spedding, Ltd., agents in New Zealand for the Tongan Government. At the wharf they were greeted by Mr. D; Ardell, of the Internal Affairs Department, representing the Government, a representative of the Navy, and by Mr. J. B. Donald, Mr. Harvey Turner and other business men interested in the Island trade. Balancing the Budget. Questioned as to the financial position of Tonga, the Prime Minister said the Treasury had a surplus of about £140,000. "Balancing the Budget, so to speak," he said, "is not what people make it out to be. Although we balance the Budget and have a surplus, very often we eat into our old balances, held over from shiny days. The depression has affected us badly. I have not been ashore in New Zealand, but I take it your country and the whole world are all feeling the effects of the slump in trade. Copra is our main export, and although there has been a slight rise in price recently, there is practically no trade."

Tonga had. no national debt, he continued. "But," lie added, with a smile, "even if we had no money we would still toe able to live." He explained that in Tonga poverty was to all intents and purposes a gaol offence. One of the constitutional enactments, which was rigidly enforced, was often called "the compulsory prosperity law." It was enacted that when any male Tongan reached the age of 16 years he should receive from the State eight and a quarter acres of land—eight acres in the bueh, whjch he was compelled to plant in coconuts as an insurance against starvation, and one-quarter acre section in a village, on which he must build himself a home. On his death the land reverted to the Crown, to be allotted again, preferably to one of his own family. Education was free and compulsory for all children between the t ges of six and 16. As a result, 99 per cent of the people could read and write. Tonga Declared War. Tonga asserted its individuality in 1914, soon after Great Britain had declared war against Germany. An official declaration of war was made, and. thereafter, until the signing of the Armistice On November 11, 1918, the kingdom was definitely antagonistic to the Central Powers. Tonga possesses its own "army," which is the bodyguard of Queen Salote, and is 24 strong. Recently a new commander of the bodyguard, arid commander-in-chief, was appointed. It is a tradition in the Tongan Army that it must be commanded, by a former Imperial officer.

. Tonga is an independent kingdom owning allegiance directly to Great Britain. Referring to this matter, the Prince said that the alliance with England concluded in 1900 was based in terms of a protectorate. It had been an experiment, but one that had stood the test of time. "It has proved that the Tongans are capable of self-govern-ment and wise rule," he added. "We are a law-abiding, people," said the Prime Minister. "We have averaged one murder to every forty years. Some people will say that there is a lot of petty theft. That is not really true. What happens is that relatives have quarrels over property which they claim and they often take it without notification. Sometimes these cases come before the courts —that is if an aggrieved person likes to consider himself modern."

Tongan Parliament.

The Tongan Parliament has a membership of 21, including Mr. Speaker. Seven members are elected by the people, seven by the chiefs and seven are appointed by the Queen as her Ministers. The present Ministry consists of two Europeans and five Tongans. The Chief Justice is a European, and so is the Treasurer. "We are more of a family council than a, Parliament," commented the Prime Minister. "The Government ascertains the views of the people before bringing down laws and endeavours to come to an amicable agreement. Sometimes we have a bit of a scrap, but not often." The Prince Consort said he had six months' holiday and he intended taking the waters at Rotorua for health purposes.