Tonga Independent Tomorrow

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32313, 3 June 1970, Page 30

Tonga Independent Tomorrow

(NsZ. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 2. New Zealand will establish diplomatic representation in Tonga on Thursday, within hours of the island group’s gaining independence from Britain.

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Western Samoa (Mr B. Taylor) will present his credentials to King Taufa-ahau Tupou IV in the morning soon after a flagraising ceremony marks the start of celebrations.

Mr Taylor will continue to live in Apia and will represent New Zealand in both Island groups. ’-‘Tonga does not regard the celebrations as marking independence in the true sense. Rather, it views it as entry into the Commonwealth, reports the N.Z.P.A. political correspondent.

Tonga has been a Britishprotected State for 70 years. But it has been self governing in internal affairs for some time, and since 1968 has had certain responsibili-

ties for external relations. Britain has remained responsible for defence.

Representing New Zealand at the celebrations will be the Minister of Island Affairs (Mr Maclntyre). Accompanied by his wife, Mr Maclntyre will leave with an official party for the Tongan capital, Nukualofa, about noon tomorrow. In the party will be the Chief of Defence (LieutenantGeneral Sir Leonard Thornton), the Secretary for Maori and Island Affairs (Mr J. M. McEwan), and Miss J. R. Leicester, of the South Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Rev. J. Tamahori, formerly Anglican vicar of Tonga, will travel with the party to represent the Maori people, at the celebrations. Mr Maclntyre on Thursday will call on the King, and in the evening will attend an open-air concert On Friday, a State feast will be held, and at night a State ball. A sports programme has been arranged for Saturday, and the celebrations will end with special church services on Sunday. The official party will leave Tonga soon after noon on Saturday.

Independence will have little effect on New Zealand’s relations with Tonga. Contact is limited mainly to trade on a small scale—New Zealand imports fruit—and to Volunteer Service Abroad teachers spending time there.

The island’s small defence force is commanded by a New Zealander, Major L. E. D. Rosie, under an arrangement similar to that in Fiji. Full independence will raise the question of a review of this arrangement, and the Tongans may soon wish to take command of their forces. There will also be little change within the governing structure of the group. The Government at present comprises a Sovereign who is constitutional monarch, a Privy Council and Cabinet, a Legislative Assembly and judiciary. The Legislative Assembly—the chief law-making bodyconsists of a Speaker appointed by the Sovereign, seven Privy Councillors ex officio, seven nobles elected by their peers, and seven representatives elected by the people. Men and women aged 21 or

over may vote, provided they can read and write. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) today expressed his regrets that because of. his official visit to Australia later this week, he would not be present at the celebrations in Nukualofa. He said that as a gift New Zealand had offered two dispatch boxes and letter racks made of inlaid New Zealand woods for the Tongan Legislative Assembly, together with a collection of New Zealand books. Mr Holyoake said in a statement that over the years particularly warm relations had been established between New Zealand and Tonga. Many Tongan students were studying in New Zealand, and New Zealand teachers and Volunteer Service Abroad members were working in Tonga. Members of the Tongan Royal Family and Government maintained close personal ties with New Zealand and were frequent visitors to this country.