DAY BY DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13817, 11 July 1918, Page 4

DAY BY DAY

We look to Australia as our guide. adviser, and protec. The Flstla~o tor." said the Premier of tftb m Toniia (Mr T. H Pacific. Tui \akano), who is vis

iting Australia, to a representative or tht« Melbourne Argils. "We do not want foreign nations to frain control oi our commerce. I am greatly interested in tin- future i>( the Pacific, and I think that Australia, N'ew Zealand, Fiji and the islands could give much hell' to cadi other under ;• general policy- of friendship and co-operation. The*scarcity of shipping is causing hard times in loiiga just now. We cannot get the copra away, and this lessens the revenue and tile prosperity of the people. \\'e hope that Australia will assist us in this regard. The constitution oi' Tonga was drawn up l>v an Australian statesman. Sir Henry Parkes. There i s a Legislative Assembly of 32 members, of whom ten are nominated by the monarch, ten are hereditary chiefs, and ten are elected by the people. The other two arc official representatives, wbo, with foiigati representatives, are member* also of the Privy Council. This Ixxiv issues ordinary ordinances from time to tune. The only control exercised Iv I arhamer.t iv financial. The Goverii. !!H-nt_ is- rhoseii by the monarch and the High Commissioner of the Pacific. It consists nf an oipial number of officials, and of Tongan members of Parliament. The system works admirably.