KINGDOM OF TONGA

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24741, 5 December 1945, Page 10

KINGDOM OF TONGA

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS The one hundredth anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Tonga of George Tupou I occurred yesterday. The present Kingdom of Tonga is composed of three main groups— Tongatapu and ’Eua, Ha’apai and Vava’u, together with the northerly remote islands of Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu. Before 1843 there was little unity among the Tongans, although the natives (pure Polynesian) were of common stock and language. George Tupou I was a direct descendant. of the leading Ha’apai family. He was of outstanding physical and mental ability and used these gifts between 1820 and 1833 to unify the Ha’apai Islands under his rule. In 1833 the chief of the Vava’u group died. He had nominated Tupou as his successor, and the resultant union of the two islands was acceptable to the Vava’u chiefs. Tupou was baptised in 1834, and such was his influence that fay the end of 1835 the people under him were, at least nominally, Christian.

Tupou was chosen as leader by the chiefs of Tongatapu in 1845, and thus the union of the Kingdom of Tonga was established. Many years passed, though, before the ruling house was acceptable to all. Under Tupou, who reigned until 1893, Tonga made steady progress. Democratic government was set up, liberty was guaranteed under a judicial system based on that of England, every man over the age of 16 was granted the right to an area of land sufficient for his needs, and freedom of religion was assured. During the recent world war two battalions were raised by voluntary enlistment. A number of these fought in the Solomons, earning several British and American decorations for gallantry. The celebrations which opened yesterday in the capital (Nukualofa) will be continued until December 8.