TONGAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 81

TONGAN AFFAIRS.

THE ACTION OF THE HIGH COMMIS

SIGNER.

AUCKLAND, April 28.

Two Tonga nobles, who we're obtaining signatures on behalf of King George from the 'nobles and representatives to a document protesting against the changes mad« by the High Commissioner as involving a violation oJ the Topgan Constitution and the treaty with Britain, have been compelled to desist. They were charged with circulating a paper designed to disturb th-<j public peace. In court these chiefs protested that they had no intention of disturbing the peace. The ease has been adjourned. Tho vessel in which they were visiting the islands of the group for signatures wae seized. Thirty-one nobles and 31 representatives of the people constitute the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. Interviewed regarding the reports concerning trouble at Tonga, King George stated ihat his information was unofficial, having come in friendly letters from, the Islands. Not knowing the facts fully, he was disinclined to comment regarding Mr Hunt's proposal that he should favour treaties wit'i other Powers to assert Tongan independence. King George characterised the suggestion fs nonsensical and impossible. Mr Hunt in putting it forward had no encouragement from the King, whom he interviewed at Wellington.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

The Tongan correspondent of the Star states that about the date of the departure of the King for Auckland it wae suggested by one of the nobles as a means of overcoming the present difficulties that it would 'be expedient to invite the nobles and representatives of the people to make a declaration of opinion as to the changes his Excellency had insisted upon. A document was drawn up and handed to two prominent chiefSj Maotu and Jiosua Kaho, requesting them-to bring^ the same under the notice of members of the two Houses and to receive their" signatures thereto. The document was to the following effect: — "(a) That we, nobles .and, representatives of the people, -having - read and considered the two addresses of the High! Commissioner, are not; -willing that any of "the officers or representatives j>l the British Government, shall interfere in' the internal administration of ■ the -kingdom -where tKe interests of British subjects <>r foreigners are not concerned — (Treaty-of Friendship between Great Britain and Tonga, 1890-1891). (b) That we are not • willing to place, ourselves in subjection to ~1;he will of any British officer or agent, as set forth in the addresses referred to; and (c) That we are not willing that our Constitution. shall be violated and treaty broken as implied by the changes insisted upon by the .High Commissioner; "and further, that we feel .deeply hurt by hie threat that if our King -did not agree he would be taken to Fiji." Immediately after the King's departure the two chiefs proceeded to obtain the signatures of the nobles and representatives. Preparations were then made to visit Haapai and Vavau. The King's yacht, the Crown, and another vessel belonging to Sateki, the late Premier, named Taufoou, having been got ready 'for sea, th© two chiefs applied for clearance. The officer in charge.at J>he Customs at first put them olf , but upon a second application be refused to grant a clearance, and referred them to the newly-appointed Premier, Mateialona. A day or two afterwards one of the chiefs was eenced. in the joint names of himself and his colleague, on the information, of C. J. M. Gosstray, Assistant-Minister of Police, to answer a charge of "taking about a paper designed to disturb the peace." The case came- on for hearing on the sth inst- The chiefs stated that no disturbance of the public peace could be reasonably apprehended ; that their action on the order ofthe King was in agreement with the advice of the High Commissioner ; that his Mafesty should not rule according to his will, but should sieek the advice of others, and what better advice could be had than the opinion of the nobles and representatives? The case was adjourned for a week. - WELLINGTON, April 28.

The New Zealand Times publishes correspondence which has passed between Mr WJ. Hunt (who styles himself adopted son of King Maliatoa of Samoa) and King George of Tonga relative to the action of the High Commissioner in deportmg th© Premier of Tonga and his son to Fiji. Mr Hunt urgr<>s King George to endeavour to conclude treaties with France, Russia, Japan, and other countries, in order to strengthen foe position of Tonga as an independent State, and advises the King to make a firm stand against what he terms tKe ageressions of the High Commissioner. If the King demanded that matters in dispute be referred to tin Hague Convention, he feels confident that the BrrEisli Government would instruct the High Commissioner not to interfere with th*; affairs of Tonpra. Mr Hunt condemns as an iTesral outrage the deportation of the Premier of Tonga.

There were 19 bankruptcies in the "Wellington district for the quarter ended March 31. and of this number four were in Wellington City. For the corresponding 1 quarter last year the figuies w ere : — District, 16 ; Wellington City, 4. The Bruce Colliery Company is now an established fact (says ihe Milton Mirror). With the exception of one or two holders, all the shares have bean taken up locally. During the. week Mr Macallister surveyed the line of tramway from the mine to the rive", over wTiich the coal will be carried by punt, in the meantime. The timber for the bridge to be erected will arrive shortly. The manager of the mine \s Mr Frame, of Kaitangato, who ha-s been installed in his new position. Mr William Byers will have charge of the constructive works now in progress, and Mr Macallister will be inspector, and will e-aperintend the, company's wora^