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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 78

Tonga. — Competition for Trade. — Shipptng Freights. — IV

Tonga.

Competition for Trade.

Shipptng Freights.

IV.

One of the most profitable fields, for New Zealand commercial enterprise is obviously Tonga, which is a sort of island suburb of Auckland, and a place whose trade is yearly expanding, the total imports into that country for the last year amounting to just on £100,000. Leaving out the Kermadecs, where there are less than 20 people, and which are of little importance, Tonga is our nearest neighbour, and its trade should belong to us entirely by geographical right. At one time it was almost exclusively ours, but we have now to be content with less than a half-share: and unless a little more activity is shown we may some day find ourselves pushed out of this field by more strenuous competitors, though it lies at our very doors, just as we have been driven out of others farther away. All the green fruit that Tonga produces comes here because we admit it free, whereas Australia charges a duty, and anyhow it would not carry to Australia if the Tongan people wanted to send it there. This geographical advantage provides Tonga with a valuable market for her goods—indeed, the only one possible for her fruit—and it ought to be a reciprocal arrangement. Yet we find that Tonga gets the bulk of her requirements from elsewhere, taking last year from New Zealand goods only to the" value of £42,969, out of her

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Partition of the Pacific

Partition of the Pacific

page 11
[unclear: purchases] of £97,820. Australia's [unclear: it will] be seen, in glancing at the im-[unclear: shown] hereunder, is increasing at a ratio than New Zealand's. This, Tongan people say, is because things sheeper in Australia, and the freight [unclear: there the] same as from New Zealand, the distance from Sydney is nearly [unclear: times] as great as that from Auckland height rates, as given in the Consul's are:—
Per ton.
To Tonga. F'm Tonga.
[unclear: Sydney] via Suva, 2943 miles £1 10 £2 0 0
[unclear: Auckland] 1097 miles 1 10 2 0 0
[unclear: Sydney] (copra) 0 17 6
[unclear: Auckland] (copra) 0 17 6
[unclear: Auckland] (fruit) per case 0 1 4
[unclear: Auckland] (fruit) per bunch 0 1 4

It is hardly to New Zealand [unclear: merchants] that they should have to par exactly [unclear: some price] for the conveyance of their [unclear: for] 1000 miles as is charged for bring-from Sydney, a distance of nearly [unclear: miles]. If the Union Company were [unclear: lian] one, its obvious desire to give [unclear: advantages] over New Zealand be understood, but, this not being the would like to be informed why it Australia gets this preferential treatment.

The imports from Sydney and Auckland, since 1904, are given in the reports as follows, and Germany's of the trade is added to show that is elsewhere, she is pushing her way [unclear: on] the market:—
Auckland. Sydney. Germany.
[unclear: 204] £55,433 £22,932 *
[unclear: 395] 31,950 32.017
[unclear: 376] 41,248 25,551
[unclear: 387] 42,969 36,570 14,627

A Hundred Palm-Clad Isles.

The Tongan archipelago consists of three islands—Tongatabu, Haapai, and Vaand about 100 smaller ones, including [unclear: volcano] of Tofua, and comprising [unclear: ontlying] islands of Niuafon (famed size of its cocoanirts, and as the [unclear: bital] of the Malau, a bird remark-laying an egg out of all proportion Tafnhi (sometimes called Bos-and Niuatobutabu (Keppels) to the Nrlstaart to the south. Many islands are mere banks of sand or giving roothold to a few palms, and all are a dead level, o the few [unclear: islands], Vavau, at the northern end of is justly celebrated for its beauty ovely land-locked harbour, one the best the Southern Pacific. All of islands are clothed with rich tropical feathered with waving cocoa-plams and upon ally of them the jaded after rest might easily be conten, rest of his days—" the world forgetting, by the world forgot." For Tonga is one of the few places which remain absolutely cut off from the outside world, save for the monthly service provided by the Union Company and occasional sailing craft. There is no cable, and there-is no newspaper. Another steamship company, the Weir line, did a few months ago make a bid for a share of the trade, of which the Union Company has for so long had a monopoly, but though it received very encouraging support the company, for some reason, retired all of a sudden from this particular preserve of the Union Company.

The Simple Life.

The true wealth of the group consists in the luxuriance of the cocoanut groves, of which the annual yield is enormous. Working for a month or two in his plantation, the Tongan makes enough money to keep him for a whole year. He has few wants,' and isn't worried by tailors' bills or suchlike ills, for as the Bab balladist has informed us:

Except a shell, a bangle rare,
A feather here, a feather there,
The South Pacific niggers wear
Their native nothingness.

This is not an exact description of Tongan costume, but is not very wide of the mark. A man is well dressed if he wears a bright cloth around his loins and a singlet on his back. The Tongan, like the other Polynesian people, does not regard work as the chief end of man. Some—who, by the way, don't toil so very Hard themselves—urge that the Tongan should be made to labour all the year round. But why? Idleness isn't good for him, they say. Nature lias provided the native with all he requires in the way of sustenance, and why shouldn't he lead the simple life if he chooses so to do?

The native population numbers about 21,000, and there are about 300 Europeans in the group.

A Miniature Kingdom.

The Government of Tonga, the only recognised island kingdom now left in the Pacific, is a limited monarchy, under British protection, King George Tubou II. being the ruler, with the British Consul (Mr. Hamilton Hunter) the power behind the throne. While in this series it is proposed to describe island conditions as they; ire to-day, without delving into ancient history, an exception must be made in regard to Tonga, for without telling the conditions that existed up to two or three years ago the work of the British officials that has resulted in the present prosperity of Tonga would not be so fully appreciated. The intricate maze of Tongan political affairs a few years ago forms the subject page 12 of a most entertaining book, "The Diversions of a Prime Minister," written by Mr. Basil Thomson, who was sent down to Tonga by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific to endeavour to straighten out tilings. It is now more than 60 yeara since the first king obtained complete control, and a couple of years ago the second monarch was given five minutos by the British Commissioner to decide whether he would agree to certain proposals or be summarily deposed, and he had sufficient com-mou sense to choose the former alternative, but the inevitable is only postponed. That is to say, that everyone is aware that George II. will be the last Tongan king, and that at his death, or perhaps before, Great Britain will assume control. There are some, however, who think that to delay annexation may be dangerous, and that the wisest policy is to hoist the flag at once.

The history of the troubles in Tonga is familiar to all who have followed island affairs. Many a quaint story has been told of the manner in which the brown kingdom has in its miniature fashion imitated the ways of European monarchies. The late Mr. Shirley Baker gave Tonga its constitution, and the one great error he made was that of aping the constitutional methods of great nations, totally unsuited for a mere handful of people, and in the long run bound to lead to difficulties. At one time a Wesleyan missionary, Mr. Baker became the first premier, and continued to hold office for many years. At first he was undoubtedly a sincere and sagacious friend of the people, but became a victim to ambition act developed into a tyrant. He was a sort of Bismarck, whose control grew to be absolute as the faculties of the old king weakened through age. After he had caused endless; religious and financial trouble, his career was ingloriously terminated by banishment, but the effect of his misrule lasted long.

The Polynesian genius does not extend to the safe and scientific keeping of accounts. This, title rock on which so many Europeans even come to grief, proved too much for the Tongan premier and treasurer, and reports of mysterious leakages led to an investigation by the British Commissioner, and the deportation of the two responsible Tongan officials, as well as the dismissal of other officials, and the appointment of Britishers in their stead. Some unkind things wove written about the High Commissioner's "arbitrary and despotic" action at the time, but the excellent results that have followed have absolutely silenced all adverse criticism, and now nothing but good words are said. There is a moral, having application to the situation, that can be put more tersely in verse than in prose:

If you gently touch a nettle,
It will sting you for your pains,
Grasp it like a man to mettle,
And it soft as milk remains.

When the High Commissioner and [unclear: M] Hamilton Hunter between them [unclear: undert] their unnleasant task, Tonga was [unclear: bank] To-day it ha.s a surplus of nearly £20,00 And it has to be remembered, too, [unclear: that] since that date more public works have [unclear: been] carried out and paid for than for years fore. So that Tonga to-day is in a [unclear: very] healthy financial condition, and this is questionably due to the new order of this instituted by the High Commissioner, [unclear: s] Kverard in Thurn, ablv assisted by [unclear: med] Hamilton Hunter, the Consul, who has been the guide, philosopher, and friend of [unclear: the] Tongan Government. Left to them [unclear: sel] the Tongans would soon have into muddle again, and their pretty little [unclear: en] stitution have tumbled into ruin like a [unclear: ped] of cards.

Religion and Politics.

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.

Products of the Group.

The Islands are very prolific in cocoanute, their product, copra, forms The princi [unclear: ter] of export. Last vear 7360 tons, [unclear: at] 19.717, were exported. All the comprising oranges, bananas, to New Zealand, and the value [unclear: exports] last year was £10,002. [unclear: valued] at £1594, whale oil £53 [unclear: few] odds and ends, such as candle [unclear: bava] pearlshell, curios, also figure on [unclear: list].

While Touga is a splendid cocoanut and country, it is not so suitable as or Fiji for many other tropical pro-[unclear: the] more extended area and greater of the latter groups creating a [unclear: ly] of temperature and greater rain-[unclear: with] the result that their resources are [unclear: more] varied. There will never be a [unclear: able] white population in Tonga, for [unclear: vely] little land is available for [unclear: peen] settlement, and the system of [unclear: being] leasehold, is not attractive male Tongan, upon reaching the [unclear: d] 21 years, is entitled to receive three [unclear: Hitlerto] there was no guarantee to [unclear: sentives] and when one grew a good [unclear: levy] made upon it bv the chiefs, [unclear: that] has been stopped now, and each has security. They now, therefore an incentive to occupy their lands and crops, and the immediate result has extensive planting, and the pro-[unclear: of a] largely increased export trade in [unclear: sear future].

[unclear: islands] are all intersected by good and the people are happy and con-[unclear: d] There is no squalor or beggary; [unclear: clothed] in such a manner as is suit-[unclear: in] the climatc: all can read and write. [unclear: are] familiar with the Gospel. Many [unclear: able] read music, and there are seve-[unclear: less] hands and choirs which would [unclear: their] own with some of the best of the [unclear: and] performers.

As a Tourist Resort.

As a tourist resort for those who like the strange and little known, Tonga is a place of great interest, Nukualofa, the capital, is a surprise for the visitor, for instead of a collection of native Jiouses, such as he might expect to see, he will behold a bright little town with dazzling white buildings, of which the King's Palace and Chapel Royal, both imposing edifices, are the most conspicuous. The Tongans are the cleverest of the Polynesian people, with courteous, dignified manners, and are physically the finest specimens of mankind in the wide Pacific, which is saying a great deal. The king is a man of very imposing presence, 6ft 4in in height, and very stout, although only 34 years of age. He is handsome quite European in manners, and received part of his education in Auckland. He is of an extremely shy and retiring disposition, and does not, as a rule, give permission to travellers to view the palace, but it is generally possible to see The Chapel Royal, which is a handsome building. So that those who expect to ... away from Nukualofa with the boast, for the delectation of friends at home, that they have "dined with a king." are most likely to he disap-pointed. Tonga is one of the drollest little countries, and one of the pleasantest, md those who want to see something fresh ind novel cannot choose a better place for a holiday. It is not a bad place, either, for title merchant. It takes-, roughly, four days to get to Tonga from Auckland (the distance is 1100 miles), so that if one has three weeks to spare he may spend nearly a fortnight there, the cost of the return passage being £13. The return passage to Suva by the war, which is a little farther away than Nukualofa, is only £12. so that here is another instance of the many anomalies in the Union Company's rates.

* The totals of German imports for previous [unclear: were] are not available.