CONDITIONS IN TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19807, 30 November 1927, Page 13

CONDITIONS IN TONGA.

COMPLAINTS OF NATIVES. TAXATION AND LIQUOR. There is great dissatisfaction among the native population of Tonga at the present time, according to Mr. J. A. Crosby, who has been secretary to the Premier, Prince Tugi. for the past five years, and who arrived from the Islands by the Tofua yesterday. There had been an increase in taxation, including an increase of 5s a ton on the export levies on copra. The price was now £1 a ton, which was equal to the rate ruling at Fiji. The long-standing difference between the members of the Free Wesley an Church and the Free Church was still present A solution appeared to be likely because it had been decided to send to Tonga a European clergyman who would work in the cause of the Free Church. "Another source of dissatisfaction is the liquor question," said Mr. Crosby. "All white men arc permitted to have liquor, but each year only 100 licences arc issued to natives to enjoy the same rights. When it is remembered that Tonga has a native population of some 26.000. one can readily understand why the 25.900 who do not get a licence have "a grievance." Mr. Crosby has terminated his appointment with the Tongan Government, and will shortly proceed to Australia.