There is a Parliament consisting ot elected representatives, all natives, and [unclear: u] equal number of hereditary chiefs, with Prime Minister (Mateialona), a Minister [unclear: of] Finance, with the keys of the [unclear: trea] dangling from his belt, a Speaker, and [unclear: other] high officials. Business is taken very [unclear: sed] ously, and religion and politics get [unclear: mid] up in a strange way. Every hon. [unclear: member] begins his speech with a Scriptural [unclear: quota] tion, and ends it with one, his majesty setting the example in his speech from [unclear: this] throne, thus:—

My salutations to the Nobles, the Premier [unclear: and] the Representatives.

The first thing that it is right we should da [unclear: h] to give thanks and praise to the Lord and the rendering ot these thanks who is capible explanation or who can discuss it and when [unclear: he] the time to speak and tell of the excessive good beyond bounds precious and Important that have been rendered by the unforeseen. And also we Tonga that we should be fortunate and all [unclear: we] with the Tonga Islands up to to-dav is [unclear: from] whom? From you people? No! Or even [unclear: friend] me? It is not that. Or our combined [unclear: strength] Why who cam so much as dream or picture [unclear: that] mountains of strenuous by which worldly [unclear: streangth] depends, such as the possession of extensive [unclear: cou] tries, and millions of people, and filled with [unclear: great] wealth, also possessed with wisdom and learn ing. These are the living stones which are [unclear: they] foundations of countries, which stand like great mountains and cannot be overcome. But [unclear: year] and I in Tonga our existing this day that is [unclear: th] Lord only. Is this a matter to stint our [unclear: thanks ?]

Think of the great number of grave, [unclear: important] and difficult things that have happened [unclear: within] the last year. Some Governments have gone war, and some countries have been lost and [unclear: some] soil been lost, also the famines and [unclear: petil] Therefore, when it appears thus that our [unclear: little] group of islands has been brought safely [unclear: throgh] it all. I say this, and I think vou are of [unclear: that]. same opinion as I am. 'here run be no [unclear: dou] of His condescension to us in Tonga. Yes [unclear: be] praised. That the promises are still sure,

Continue your journey [unclear: n] peace.
Never fear nor tremble.
Though waves be great and winds high
He (the Lord) knows the path by which we go.

page 13

[unclear: prevation] of Tongo te the work of Him, thankful to Him as the saying is "He [unclear: yet cut] the golden cord and His love for And I apeak as David apoke, "Who Lord God." and what is the Govern-[unclear: Tonga] to you that you should hove this day? And where in there an[unclear: ment] in the world like yon and I in sems a shame to call it a Goverment [unclear: cence] of the mighty Empires of this [unclear: leave] it to the other Govcrments, should [unclear: they] have a right to do no. It is not [unclear: and] me to boast, he proud or arrogant [unclear: belong] to anything? But in the Lord Govennnents to do right that is the [unclear: of his] group of islands.

[unclear: My] Seveen look down with favour on your [unclear: and] guide your efforts. Even so. The [unclear: with] you Amen. [unclear: King] receives in personal emoluments "[unclear: acidentals]" a trifle over £2600 an[unclear: while] the personal emoluments of [unclear: mier] amount to £980.