LOYALTY OF TONGA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 111, 4 February 1941, Page 7

LOYALTY OF TONGA

War Aid And Home Defence Effort Outlined (British Official Wireless.) (Received February 3, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, February 2. Though not forming an integral part of the British Empire, the protected kingdom of Tonga is second to none in sui>port of the cause for which tire Empire is fighting. The population of Tonga is' under 35,000, but the kingdom’s fighter plane fund has already passed the £60,000 mark, while its contributions to the Red Cross and the defence force comforts funds amount to £lOOO and £4OO respectively. The local defence measures owe a great deal to the generosity of Queen Salote, the nobles and people. The royal family has given a site for an aerodrome at a peppercorn rental, and five miles of road giving access to it has been constructed free of charge by the Tonga Government. Barracks to accommodate the defence force, which was raised on a purely voluntary basis after the war broke out, were also built from materials provided free of cost by the nobles and people. Under the personal direction of Queen Salote, the ladies of Tonga have made uniforms and presented them to the defence force. GOVERNOR OF MILAN REPLACED LONDON, February 2. 'The Ankara radio, quoting reports from Italy, says that Mussolini has dismissed the Governor of Milan and appointed the Governor of Turin as his successor. The announcer said that the news confirmed the recent reports of disturbances in Milan. The German news agency stated that Signor Mussolini Ims appointed General Dallollio, who is over 90, as Minister of -State. He was Minister of Munitions in the last war.