ISLAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8009, 14 February 1887, Page 2

ISLAND NEWS.

NEWS BY THE JANET NXCOLL, AN UNPOPULAR FISCAL POLICY. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, February 12, The Janet Nicoll, which arrived from the South Sea Islands this forenoon, did not bring any later news than that brought by the mail with respect to the recent outrage at Tonga, haring left Tonga about a fortnight before the attempt was made on Mr Baker’s life. Proof that the . attack waa premeditated, however, is afforded by the fact that when the steamer called at Tonga threats of assassination were openly made by Natives against Mr Baker, bnt they appear to hare been ignored, eveu by Mr Baker himself, who went about freely In his carriage, even at night. Affairs at Tonga were then in a very unsettled state, but it waa not - supposed that the discontented ones wonld dare to _oa rry their threats into ezeention. A gentleman intimately connected with commercial matters in the South Seas, says the political complications that exist in Tonga, together with the imposition of the Customs tariff, lisa completely paralysed trade. Duties are rigorously imposed, and all sorts of fines and penalties are charged. For instance, a captain who went to the Custom House five miuntes late was fined one guinea before bis papers were handed to him. Traders, be. liering that the present state of affairs cannot continne to exist, and that some foreign Power will step in, or at any rate that the present tariff will be amended, refuse to import anything. Nothing is bongbt aad nothing is sold. The people are simply Micawberiaing,