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Postscript.

Many things happen in three years. My narrative should properly have ended where I have left it; but, since circumstances have combined to defer its publication, I cannot pass over all that has happened since 1891. I left Tonga clear of her embarrassments, with a strong popular Government, and every promise of prosperity. In 1894 she is divided in her councils, suspicious of her rulers, and financially unsound. Her destiny depended upon the wisdom of the king's advisers. It was too much to hope that, without any European assistance, a native Government could steer clear of difficulties; but I hoped, at least, that the lessons of economy they had learnt so painfully would ensure the native Cabinet against living beyond their means. When I left, Mr Moss was appointed clerk to the Premier, and for a time all went well. In December 1891 there was a balance of £8000 in the treasury, after all debts had been discharged. Then came a series of disasters. Mr Moss died, and there was keen competition for his vacant place. While they were still wrangling and intriguing, the king was taken suddenly ill, and after only four days' illness he died on February 18, 1893. He had alarmed them so often with his sudden seizures that the blow came upon the people almost unprepared. They had come to look upon their king of ninety-six as immortal. Even the oldest of them could not remember a time when George Tubou was not a central figure in the country. All work came to an end. The cocoa-nuts lay unhusked upon the ground for months: page 286trade was at a standstill. The people went to their plantations only to dig tip and carry away food for the great funeral feasts. Their only labour was the erection of the great tomb in the Malaekula (Red square). Contrary to general expectation, the king's great-grandson, George Taufaahau, succeeded him without disturbance. This was in a great measure due to the loyalty and good sense of Tukuaho, who might easily, had he pleased, have divided the country into factions. The young king of twenty ill repaid this devotion. For the first few months, it is true, he followed his Premier's advice. But no sooner did he begin to feel secure in his new position than he began to listen to advisers of another kind. The balance in the treasury had melted away in the expenses of the funeral. Under the most favourable circumstances, the country could only recover under careful management. But before the people could return to work, an epidemic of measles, then prevalent in New Zealand, broke out in Nukualofa. We all know the story of the measles in Fiji, —how, in 1876, it swept away 40,000 out of the population of 150,000. Measles, when it attacks the Polynesians, is no longer the infantine malady we know of. It becomes a devastating plague. The Tongans, with the experience of Fiji in their memories, took, it is true, some precautions against the after-effects of the disease; but, nevertheless, onetwentieth of the population was carried off, and the remainder was so demoralised that it was threatened with famine. The measles gave the enemies of the Government the opportunity they wanted. The infection must have been brought by a steamer, and the Premier had been responsible for the granting of pratique. It mattered not that the king had himself sanctioned the hauling down of the yellow flag. An excuse was wanted for dismissing him, and the king availed himself of it. There was a coup-d'état. One morning the European officers of Customs found sentries at their office doors. Tukuaho was summarily dismissed without any assigned reason, Sateki appointed in his place, and an unemployed schoolmaster and a page 287fisherman appointed in the room of the two dismissed European officers. These, not content with their triumph, proceeded to audit the Customs' accounts, and declared that they had discovered defalcations. The ex-collector of Customs immediately brought an action for wrongful dismissal and slander before the High Commissioner's Court, and, to the great discomfiture of a majority of the storekeepers (what Customs officer was ever loved?), triumphantly cleared his character.

Since then things have gone from bad to worse. The people are less than ever inclined to pay their taxes, now that the Government has no longer the strong arm of Tubou to support it.

I should be wiser if I said nothing about the future; for no man ever yet succeeded in foretelling accurately the shifts and turns of political events. Yet even at the risk of hurting the feelings of my good friends in Tonga, I will state my belief in the hope that it may act as a warning. England does not want Tonga, nor New Zealand either, if she knew her own interests; and yet, even if there were none of those restless spirits that egg on the Governments of our half-populated colonies to extend their boundaries and responsibilities, Tonga must eventually fall under the flag of England or of Australasia. When this happens, it will be the fault of the Tongans themselves. If, instead of hysterical professions of patriotism, the Tongans would show the very moderately patriotic feelings that prompt other peoples to pay their taxes, Tonga might remain independent for generations; but with a weak Government and a divided people, how can a little State, hemmed in by powerful and growing neighbours, maintain her independence? We do not want Tonga, and yet we Cannot allow any other great Power to take our place there. If Tonga must be taken, it is we who must take her; but though I am no "Little Englander," I have seen enough of our small possessions to know that the increased incentive to British trade that may result from the hoisting of a flag does not compensate for the weakness that a host of half bankrupt islands throws upon the Empire.

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