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House Discusses Controversial Speech

Tonga Chronicle, 23.9.1973.

The case of the Chronicle and its contents have again been a subject of discussion in the Legislative Assembly. This time, the subject was the publication of the winning speech in the recent Tonga High School speech contest, some weeks ago. The speech was rendered by sixth former, Lata Soakai and titled, ‘Tonga should be more democratic’.

The Tongatapu Nobles representative Hon. Vaha'i raised the issue and said, ‘I am very much concerned at the criticism published by the Chronicle which implies that we are not a democratic government. But His Majestry Tupou I had installed the national motto, God and Tonga are my inheritance, given the Constitution and emancipation of the people, and this is a Christian assembly for a Christian government. I am saddened by this recent manifestation of criticism of His Majesty and the Government, and what may I ask Mr Speaker, is undemocratic in His Majestry's Government.

Hon. Vaha'i went on to say that the Minister of Police should assign investigators, ‘to investigate this foreign element that is creeping in to induce these criticisms.’

The Speaker, Hon. Ma'afu, pointed out that the incident was only a speech contest which teachers encourage their pupils to participate in.

The Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Tuita, reminded the House of the provision in the Constitution, Clause 7 which provides for freedom of expression, and in his Acting capacity there is no way of forbidding it.

Tongatapu No. 1 People's Representative Mr Tu'ilatai Mataele said, ‘I feel this Department (the Chronicle) should consider carefully what goes into the Chronicle. There was a lot of controversy when the paper was established and a lot of people advocated that the paper should be both for the Government and the people. Anyway, the paper got off to a good start but just lately it had deteriorated. ‘I have also noticed that when the European (palangi) editor was here, nothing of this nature happened, but this time with the present editor, this incident has cropped up. Mr Mataele, however, agreed with the Speaker that this was only an exercise, and he has assured his many kava party companions that Tonga is still democratic.

There was a lot of opinion expressed on the issue by the Minister of Health, Hon. Tapa, Tongatapu Representative, Mr Tomiteau Finau, the Hon. Malupo and Mr Taniela Mafua. Hon. Dr Tapa emphasised the importance of openly expressing one's opinions which is better than suppressing it to emerge at a later date which would be more dangerous. Hon. Malupo endorsed the Acting Prime Minister's statement that the article in
question was well within the provision of the Constitution and no matter how much dis-
content there prevalis in the Kingdom the people are still patriotic and who knows but
there might be some good out of the whole issue.

The Speaker summed up the discussion by saying, ‘Whatever is the will of God, that is what will take place. We are still human and it is also possible that the Nobles' estates are too big an should be redivided, and I ask you not to be concerned, as the issue might be bigger than we realise.’