Tonga an Island of Great Contentment

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5568, 5 February 1931, Page 4

Tonga an Island of Great Contentment

ADDRESS TO LUNCH CLUB. Tho Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch Club was entertained recently to a very interesting address entitled "In Southern Seas" by Miss Dorothy Ferguson who was for four years school teaching in the Island group of Tonga. Mr G. G. Priest presided and introduced the speaker who stated that Tonga was typical of (lie South Seas, but it had many features of its own. It was an independent kingdom and was divided into three groups. Nukualofu was the capital and there, was tho Queen’s residence. It had a population apart from the natives of about 100 whites and half casts. The white population was mainly confined to Government officials and traders. The islands were very flat and thero was only one river, the people being dependent on the rain for water. There were about 200 islands in all ,sonic being- very small. Tho people were Polynesians, had brown faces and ware very contented. They also had great pride of race and could bo led but not forced.

They played sports very well and were very keen . Tennis, cricket and football were played a great deal, rugby being played without boots. They observed the sabbath very strictly and were wonderful singers. Kava was a very popular drink and used at ceremonies. The natives were vciy fond of it and it left a pleasing taste in tho mouth. The Tongans considered it very bad taste to walk about while eating and they would not cat in front of the Queen. Sonic of tho ministers in tho Cabinet wero Europeans and there was a British Consul. The Premier was the Queen’s husband. All other Government officials were natives.

Replying to a question, Miss Ferguson stated that all the land was owned by the Government and when a boy turned 1(3 years of age he was given Si acres of land. If the boy was at school his father would pay the tax which would be devoted to the upkeep of roads. All doctors were supplied to the people by the Government. The only industry was copra and with the present bad times throughout the world and prices lower tho natives could not understand why tho copra had lowered in value and wore of the opinion that tho traders were cheating them. xV vote of thanks was passed to Miss Ferguson on tho motion of Mr J. B. Fleck. .