BRITISH PROTECTORATE OVER TONGA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 102, 13 June 1900, Page 3

BRITISH PROTECTORATE OVER TONGA.

THE BRITISH COMMISSIONEB INTERVIEWED. (not psoas association.] .Received 12, 9.40 a.m. Sydney, June 12. lb. Basil Thompson, interviewed with reference to the declaration of a British protectorate over Tonga, traversed recent statements in New Zealand papers that no protectorate was raised and no-reply made to the British salute, and that Mr. Thompson was too considerate and deferential in approaching the King. Mr. Thompson said this would indicate that the natives declined to return the British salute, whereas they were not required to do so, nor would such a ■dote have been in accordance with established usage. No protectorate flag was raised for the same reason. The whole ceremony was carried out it routine fashion with the full and willing consent of the Bang and his councillors. The actual facta are tbat Mr. Thompson succeeded in obtaining all the Imperial Government sought, and the natives, so far from objecting, were quite satisfied to enter into a treaty wbich (imply serves to keep any other nation but Britian out of their terri tory, ascurod them their land and other property under their own local Government. The Imperial Government had no desire to administer the GovernBest of such a petty cluster of islands, bat wanted a coaling station in the vicinity. A protectorate of a qualified character over Tenga is the only ene of its kind in the world, with the exception of Zanzibar.