President of Zanzibar and Chairman of Finance: Hon. Aboud Jumbe Chairman, Commerce and Industries: Hon. Thabit Kombo Chairman, Communications, Works & Power: Hon. Ali Muhsin Chairman, Information, Broadcasting and Television: Hon. Mkubwa Haji T TONGA HE Kingdom of Tonga comprises a group of islands situated in the south-west Pacific between latitudes 15° and 23° 30′ S. and longitudes 173° and 177° W. The group, known as the Tonga or Friendly Islands, is divided into three main sub-groups: Vava'u, Ha'apai and Tongatapu. The total estimated area, including inland waters, is 270 square miles. Tongatapu, the largest island, has an area of 99.2 square miles. The islands on the eastern side are of coral formation, those on the west are volcanic. There are active volcanoes on four of the islands. The climate is healthy, though hot and humid from January to March with temperatures of 32°C (90°F); during the rest of the year it is pleasantly cool with temperatures as low as 11°C (52°F) on Tongatapu. The mean annual temperature is 23°C (73°F); the mean annual rainfall is 70 inches on Tongatapu and 110 inches on Vava'u. The population, as recorded in the 1966 census, numbered 77,429, of whom 76,121 were Tongans. The estimated population in 1972 was 92,360. The administrative capital is Nuku'alofa on Tongatapu, the population of which was 14,545 in the 1966 census. Primary Education is compulsory, free, and is of six years. In 1972, about 16,600 students were enrolled in primary schools, representing virtually the entire primary school age group. Of the total primary school enrolment, two-thirds were in government schools and one-third in mission schools. The secondary school enrolment in 1972 was about 10,100 of which 90 per cent was in mission schools. The normal secondary education is of four years. Estimated government expenditure on education in 1974/75 was T$692,242. The Government of Tonga Medical Department operates three public hospitals and a number of dispensaries. A modern Government hospital was built in 1971 mainly from British Aid Development funds. Estimated Government expenditure on medical services (exclusive of buildings and building maintenance) was T$615,815 in 1974/75. There is a good regional airport on the island of Tongatapu, situated about 13 miles from Nuku'alofa, and there are limited seaplane facilities at Nuku'alofa and Vava'u harbour. Air Pacific (the regional airline in which Tonga is a minor shareholder) operate Tonga-Fiji flights four times a week, and Tonga-Auckland flights twice a week. Polynesian air lines operate W/Samoa-Tonga flights three times a week. There are approximately 105 miles of metalled road in Tongatapu and 35 miles in Vava'u suitable for motor traffic. There are some 58.5 miles of unsealed roads which can only be used by motor traffic in dry weather. The chief ports, which are also ports of entry, are Nuku'alofa and Neiafu on Vava'u. 157 vessels, exclusive of warships and yachts, entered the country during the year 1971. A regular monthly passenger and cargo service from New Zealand via Fiji is maintained by the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. Regular cargo services are also operated by vessels of the Bank Line and the Union Steam Ship Company. The Pacific Navigation Company has been set up under the joint control of the Government and the Tonga Copra Board. It maintains internal services between islands of the group and a passenger and cargo service with Fiji and other adjacent islands as well as Australia and New Zealand. Broadcasting is administered by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. The studios are situated at Nuku'alofa and the transmitter at Fongoloa, about one mile away. The station A3Z, known as "The Call of the Friendly Islands", was opened by the late Queen Salote Tupou on 4th July 1961. The station broadcasts for ten hours daily from Monday to Saturday and a minimum 3 hours on Sundays, in English and Tongan. Transmissions are on medium wave on a frequency of 1,020 kc/s, and can also be heard in New Zealand, Fiji, Norfolk Island, Samoa and Niue. The station broadcasts Samoan and Fijian sessions as well. Commercial advertising is accepted in English and Tongan. The output of the station consists of locally originated programmes including traditional Tongan music and spoken word, news bulletins and weather forecasts. Tonga is essentially an agricultural country, and, in general, a land of peasant proprietors. Only a very small proportion of the population seeks employment in the Government services or in commerce. The main crops are coconuts, bananas, kumalas, yams, taro, cassava, groundnuts, maize, watermelons and pineapples. There is an abundance of fish in the waters of the group which provides a staple fish diet for the inhabitants. Total livestock numbers in 1970 were: Pigs 30,296, Horses 6,606, Cattle 3,048. Livestock numbers on Tongatapu in 1971 were: Pigs 11,537, Horses 3,259, Cattle 1,676, Poultry 39,566. Limited areas of forest land are found in the islands of 'Eua and Vava'u, but timber is not exported. The manufacturing industries in Tonga are the production of desiccated coconut, coir and tobacco goods. The chief imports are textiles, flour, preserved meats, sugar, hardware, soap. petrol, kerosene, spirits, beer and wines, tobacco and cigarettes. The Tonga Copra and Produce Boards which were charged with the purchase, sale and marketing of agricultural produce in the interests of the growers were absorbed by the Commodities Board at the beginning of 1974. In the past traces of oil have been found in Tonga. A consortium of oil companies made two test borings in 1971 but surrendered their concession in 1974. Revenue and expenditure during the years 1966-72 were: About 50 per cent of revenue accrues from customs duty. The main heads of expenditure are public works, medical services, education and agriculture. The financial year begins on 1st July. Public Debt at 30th June 1971 comprised: The surplus funds account stood at T$2,354,755 on 30th June 1971. An annual rent of 80 seniti a year is payable in respect of the allotments of land to which all male Tongans are entitled (see below: Land Policy). In addition there is an annual tax of T$3-20, for which free education, medical, hospital and dental treatment are provided. Indirect taxation includes import duties (general tariff 333% ad valorem CIF; British preferential tariff 15% ad valorem CIF) and a port and service tax on imports of 5%. There is also an export duty on copra and other coconut products of 10% of the FOB value at date of export. HISTORY During the first half of the nineteenth century civil wars were rife in the islands. They were finally checked during the reign of King George Tupou I (1845-93) who had by conquest gathered all power in his own hands. Wesleyan missionaries landed on Tonga in 1826 and by the middle of the century practically all the chiefs and people had been converted to Christianity. Not until the last decade of the century, however, were questions regarding freedom of worship and the relationship of Church and State peaceably settled. In 1900, by a Treaty of Friendship and Protection, Tonga became a British Protected State. There have been three subsequent revisions of the Treaty reflecting the changes which have occurred during the 20th century. Under the latest, by an exchange of letters on the 19th May 1970, it was agreed that the United Kingdom Government should, as from the 4th June 1970, cease to have any responsibility for the external relations of the Kingdom of Tonga. The provisions of Articles II, III, IV and V of the 1968 Revised Treaty accordingly ceased to have effect. At the same time Tonga became a full member of the Commonwealth and accepted The Queen as a symbol of the free association of independent member nations and as such The Head of the Commonwealth. The British High Commissioner in New Zealand was appointed concurrently United Kingdom High Commissioner (non-resident) in Tonga, while the former resident post of Commissioner and Consul became Deputy High Commissioner. In 1973 the Deputy High Commissioner was appointed Resident High Commissioner. CONSTITUTION The present constitution is based, with relatively little amendment, on that granted in 1875 by King George Tupou I. It provides for a Government consisting of the Sovereign (at present King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, GCVO, KCMG, KBE) a Privy Council and Cabinet, a Legislative Assembly and a Judiciary. The Legislative Assembly consists of the Premier and Ministers of the Crown (including the Governors of Vava'u and Ha'apai), seven representatives of the nobles elected by their peers, and seven representatives of the people elected by popular franchise, every male Tongan of 21 years of age who pays taxes and can read and write and every female Tongan of 21 years of age who can read and write, being qualified to vote. In 1960 for the first time women were included, and held a vote, in the election of Legislative Assembly members. Several women also stood for election but were defeated at the polls. Elections are held every three years. The President of the Legislative Assembly is the Speaker, appointed by the Sovereign. The courts consists of a Supreme Court, a Magistrate's Court and a Land Court. LAND POLICY Every male Tongan on reaching the taxable age of 16 years is entitled to 8 acres of land for cultivation in addition to a small village allotment for his dwelling. Land may not be leased to non-Tongans without the consent of the Government. Immigrant settlement is not encouraged owing to the increasing shortage of land available. HEAD OF STATE H.M. King Taufa'Ahau Tupou IV, GCVO, KCMG, KBE GOVERNMENT Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Agriculture: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands: Hon. Tuita Minister of Health and Acting Minister of Finance: Hon. Dr S. Tapa Minister of Police: Hon. ‘Akau' ola Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, and Deputy Minister of Finance: Governor of Vava'u: Hon. Ma'afu Tupou Speaker of the House: Hon. Ma'afu Secretary to the Government: Taniela Hoko'ila Tufui DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVES IN TONGA British High Commissioner: H. A. Arthington-Davy, OBE TONGA REPRESENTATIVES IN OTHER High Commissioner in the United Kingdom: OTHER COUNTRIES with REPRESENTATIVES New Zealand (High Commissioner, resident |