FUTURE OF TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17909, 11 October 1921, Page 7

FUTURE OF TONGA.

OPPOSED TO FEDERATION.

SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

FREE FROM LABOUR TROUBLES.

I The kingdom of Tonea is not likelv to J become part of the proposed federation of | Western Pacific islands, according to Mr. j Tuivafcano, Premier of Tonga, who is at | present on a visit to Auckland. The federation of the islands of Fiji Samoa, Tonga, Elliee and Solomons is being urged, particularly by public men in Fiji, on the grounds that the requirements, the trade and the products of all | these groups call for such a step in the ! interests of co-ordination and efficient ad- | ministration, but the people of Tonga have | expressed a determination not, to allow j themselves to be involved in ajiy such i scheme.

j Mr. Tuivakano staled yesterday that at ! the last session of the Tongan Parliament j a resolution, having the support of the : whole nation, was carried, asking Queen I Salote to communicate with His Britannic | Majesty's Government to the effect that | Tonga dr.es not desire to join any federa- ! tion or be brought under any Governmen; | other than its own. The Premier ojplained that the Government and people of Tonga were thoroughly satisiied with their present condition. They were ouite i able, he said, to manage their own affairs, I the advice and assistance now received from the British Government being all they required. Lord N'orthcliffe had approached him in Sydney recently on the subject of Pacific federation, and had advanced views similar to those held in Fiji, but, said the Premier, that was only one j side of the question, and on being told of | Tonga's determination to avoid any such. j alliance Lord N'orthcliffe remarked" that this, to his mind, was unfortunate, but no pressure could rightly be brought to bear on Tonga to force her into tbe Federation. Asked whether Tonga was materially affected by the financial stringency which has exercised the ingenuity of other treasuries, Mr. Tuivakano " said that Tonga's position generally had remained undisturbed. They had never at any time been compelled to go outside the kingdom to borrow money, their finances during the war period and alter having remained in a healthy condition. He added that the Government's normal credit balance was £100.000, and although this had been slightly reduced they had now almost regained that figure. Tonga's freedom from most of the troubles experienced by other civilised countries is perhaps explained by, and due to, the practical communistic principles upon which the government of the kingdom is based. Mr. Tuivakano stated that Tonga could not have the labour troubles that were such a source of worry and loss to her sister groups, because the work of the Tongan isles was carried out entirely by the native born, foreign labourers, such as Chinese, Japanese and Hindus being debarred. There was no private property, the Government controlling all land and leasing to the natives. Each man on coming of age is entitled to 8j acres of planting land, and one acre of land in his village, on which to erect a house. For these combined areas they pay 4s per annum, and, in addition, pay a yearly poll tax of 365. The latter contribution to the State exchequer entitles the taxpayer to free medicine and medical care, hospital treatment and education for his family, nor is he called upon to contribute anything further toward the upkeep of roads. Asked as to any impressions gained during his recent visit to Australia, Tonga's Premier said he bad observed with interest the roadmaking methods in the Commonwealth, and many matters of interest in connection with tbe carrying out of public works generally. ; "I also learned a good deal about tbe heavy taxes paid in Australia," he added with a smile, " and I did not Eke them. Such taxes would not prove j popular in Tonga." Mr. Tuivakano, who is accompanied by his wife, has spent the past few months in Australia, purely on a health recruiting trip, and has benefited greatly from his tour. He expects to leave Auckland for Tonga by the Tofua on her November trip.