THE TROUBLES IN TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7915, 6 April 1887, Page 5

THE TROUBLES IN TONGA.

The following letter has been published in the London papers by Mr. Thomas S. Howatt:—"l was in Tonga five months ago, and from what I saw and heard, and I had good opportunities of getting all information, I am not at all surprised. The wonder to me is that Mr. Baker has not oome to » violent death long since. Mr. Baker in an ex-Wesleyan missionary, having been compelled to resign six or seven years ago, when he became Premier of Tonga.' Though Tonga _ has a popular Government, Mr. Baker is the law maker or breaker at will. The King is, if alive, S7 years of age, consequently Mr. Baker has all power in his; own hand. He might have been a power for good among the finest, most •race of the South Pacific. Mr. Baker is called the 'Scourge of Tonga.' He ha" made the nation to groan beneath an excessive taxation and greater persecution. It was put to the people thus, "Do you love the King If so you will join my church, if not then you are not a loyal aub» ject.' Then terrible threatenings wore given. The consequence was that many (threefourths) of the people went over. Then those who did not were, if chiefs, degraded ; landu taken from them ; some banished to barren lands, tines, and torrible punishments. The law courts were used against i;he Wesleyans. Gladly would they have rather suffered death than this. Schoolhoaaea, chapels belonging to the Wesleyan missions were taken from the missions. The people petition the British representative so remove Baker from Tongaindeed all those breaches of treaty have been laid before Mr. Thurston, the High Commissioner, in vain. Our Government don't take any notice. The people, native and white, nearly all hate Mr. Baker. They have looked to Great Britain to help them; all in vain. Those who become Roman Catholics, however, are not molested. Indeed, Mr. Baker has a wholesome dread of a French frigate from experience. Why are not the British also protected ?