SPECIAL INTERVIEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12856, 3 May 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

SPECIAL INTERVIEWS.

VIEWS OF A TOXGAN RESIDENT. -Am. IM. THURN'S ACTION- :• JUSTIFIJ' . Mr. K. M. J letch kr, of Vavau, Tonga, who is at present visiting Auckland for the benefit of his health, has been interviewed by a representative of the Herald as to the condition of affairs in Tonga when he left by the Manapouri, which arrived here on Thursday last. Mi. Fletcher, who has been in business in the group for 15 years, said: —"Everything is now settling down very quietly in Tonga, and the people, both native- end whites, are realising the advantage:- of firm and consistent rule. The native population, with the exceptior ot a few of the chiefs, ate perfectly satisfied, and now know where they are. The public affair.: of the group had got into v state of chaos owing to the maladministration of the late Government, and there was general uncertainty and apprehension. The taxes are now ■ coming in regularly, a .id the officials, who were paid at most irregular intervals, are now paid monthly, and in full." ' , ~,"' "What are the estimated liabilities of the Government?" "About £40.000, and these are now being gradually settled, as finances permit. Some of the creditors are in Auckland, and provision has been made for the immediate settlement of their claims in full." ".Do the natives approve of the appointment of a white Chief Justice? " "They certainly do. Mr. R. L. Skeen. who came from Auckland, has inspired them with a fitting respect for the High Court and for his decisions. The reorganisation of the police force, too, by Sergeant Gosstray, who was sent specially from Fiji, is an excellent work which meets with the warmest approval ot the.- people. "What is the position of the British Consul and Resident. Mr. Hamilton Hunter?"

" Mr. Hunter is a gentleman of vast experience in Island matters, and has been of inestimable service to the High Commissioner in the recent trouble. His position is unchanged, but the Tongan Government have first to consult him or, any important matter before coming to a decision, instead of every Tom, Dick, and Harry, who chose to give advice, as heretofore."

" You approve of the action of the High Commissioner, Mr. im Thurn?"

"Unhesitatingly. Mr. im Tlntrn's action was correct in every particular, and was very necessary, as the course of events proved." "Is the land diffcnltv settled also':"

" Yes. Leaseholders now know where they are: before they did not. In some cases leases were renewed, and in others they were not. This led to a good deal of trouble, now. happily, set at.rest under the new regime. The liquor question, too. has been disposed of satisfactorily. Natives cannot tret liquor with the ease that thev were accustomed to under the old order. It was th" view of Sateki. the deuosed Premier, that the liquor traffic should be kept ur> as it brought revenue into the country. The consequence of such fallacious reasoning on the part of a Minister of the, Crown was deplorable to the natives. Taken altogether, the good results of the High Commissioner's action in Tonga are so manifest that, with the exception of a few, yen- few, malcontents, the ebanre from confusion to settled order has proved most welcome, fully justifying the firm steps that were taken to accomplish it." ' v ' "Ts the Church difficulty now finally-dis-posed of?" " Yes; ..official* may mofe*s any -reed 1 hey -choose, "and there is now no'friction between Church' and State in the group. The whites are now contented, the natives are aho co"*enfe'd. and even-thing is fettled and in workable order. To mm praise cannot be triven to Mr. Hamilton Hunter for this desirable change in, affairs."