MAROONED IN TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 9

MAROONED IN TONGA.

PLIGHT OF NIUE BOYS.

RESULT OF LABOUR CONTRACT.

There are at present 23 young men, natives of Niue, living in the island of Tonga, who wish to return home, but who are unahlo to do so. Like hundred' of other young Niueans, who are famed throughout tho Southern Pacific for their industry, these " boys" were taken away from their homes in order to bo employed elsewhere, and they went to Tonga under contract to certain planters there. They agreed to be taken to Tonga, to accept there a certain wage for a certain time, and at the expiry of the stipulated period to bo returned to Niue.

1 When the contracts were made two small trading steamers were making occfr sional visits to Niue, and the " boys" were sent backwards and forwards by the vessels. These vessels do not now make trips to Nine, and it is in connection with the bovs whose contracts have expired since the cessation of this intermittent service that the trouble has arisen. If the boys are to be returned to Niue, they must (jo by steamer to Auckland, and thence by the ketch Kerern to their island —a voyage that will bo somewhat expensive. The Tongan employers have declined to send the boys back via Auckland, and are keeping them in Tonga awaitiri" a direct steamer. Many months have elapsed since the first of these contracts expired, and there is no more prospect of a steamer running to Niue than there was months ago. When the Hon. Dr. Pomare was in Niue recently a deputation of influential _ natives brought this matter under his notice, and asked that, New Zealand Government should force' the Tongan employers to keep to the terms of their contract. The Minister said that there seemed to bo no doubt about the legality of the position, and some action would have to be taken. Later, when he -visited Nukualofa, Dr. Pomare had a conference with the British Resident. Mr. Grant, on the matter, and if the Tongan authorities do not take action in the direction required of them there may be some interesting developments.