GERMAN TRADE IN TONGA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2691, 10 February 1916, Page 7

GERMAN TRADE IN TONGA

—— ■ REMEDY IN MERCHANTS' HANDS. Attention has been directed on sev--1 eral occasions to the fact that German traders are still operating in Tonga, and tho New Zealand Government has beenr'urged to restrain them. Having explained that the Government has already done all that is in its power, the Hon.JJr. Pomare, who is well acquainted with the islands, in an interview on Saturday, suggested (states the "New Zealand Herald") that in his opinion there is only one effective measure to be employed, and that is one within the reach of the commercial community of Australia and New Zealand, on whose behalf complaints have been made. Dr. Pomare explained that the NeviZealand Government has nothing to do with the government of the Tongan Islands. Until 1899 Tonga was an indupendent neutral country, but under.tho Declaration of Berlin an Anglo-German agreement was made, and subsequently endorsed by the United States, by which Britain was allowed to declare a'protectorate over tlie islands. This proteo torate came into existence in 1900. The authority of, Britain is clearly defined . The High Commissioner for tlin Western Pacific has assumed exercise of civil and criminal jurisdiction over all subjects of foreign Powers, and til ft supervision of the financial acfministiw ;tion only. T<jnga has its independent Parliament, with King George II ah its head, tho Legislature comprising Council of Nobles and an Assembly of elected members. "Many people blame the Government of New Zealand," said I)i. Pomare, "for not tailing action "in regard to the trading by Germans in these islands. As a matter, of fac-ii, the New Zealand Government cannot interfere in any way. All it can do is to advise the British authorities that there is'such a thing as German trading in these islands. That it has already done. The quickest way to stop Germans trading in Tongi is for the merchants of New Zealand and of Australia to stop sending goods to tho Germans'in Tonga to trade with. Speaking from personal observations in Tonga, I know that merchandise of all kinds used to go from New Zealand and Australia to the German traders. 1 do not know whether any Auckland merchants are still supplying goods to Tonga, as the alteration in the stepmer services gave the Sydney shippers an advantage in the freights."