CUT OFF FROM THE WORLD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2280, 14 October 1914, Page 8

CUT OFF FROM THE WORLD

TONGA ISLANDERS THEIR FIRST NEWS OF THE WAR; ' (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, October 13. Since the outbreak of war ten weeks ago Tonga has been ciit off from all outside communication. Reassuring news was brought to Auckland this morning, however, by the Navun, and an interesting story was obtained from Mr. R. N. Moody, who left Auckland' in July last to conduct certain legal proceedings for tho King of Tonga. Pears were entertained that the Island, population might be in a bad way for ood supplies, since Tongan people rely to a very large extent on the importation of meat, flour, and biscuits from Auckland. Mr. Moody states that there was really no serious shortage. Butter • und flour were beginning to nin out, and bread could not be obtained in large quantities. Potatoes were also running short, but yams were fairly plentiful, a.nd,thero appeared to be no shortage or fresh meat and fruit. Suspense in the Croup. Mr. Moody intended to return when tho Navua made her regular call at the group, on August 11. When the vessel failed to put in an appearance the residents naturally became., considerably concerned. All kinds of theories were, advanced, the most commonly, accepted being that the vessel had run on to a reef in.the Island. The residents ac-' cordingly made up their minds that they' would have to await tho arrival of thoTofua from Sydney: When that vessel also failed to appear speculation became rife. Indeed, this time tho explanation generally accepted was that another, general Australasian strike-had occurred. The suspenso was beginning to become tense when H.M.S. Philomel one morning early in September came' into Nukualofa,,'and those in the group learned for the'first time that a great European war had been in progress for weeks past. The. British Consul was, supplied with what war'news'was available, and he in turn informed the King of Tonga, who issued the information in the "Government Gazette." In the Tongan Group, declares Mr. ; Moody, the feeling amongst the' natives' is strongly sympathetic towards Britain. Tonga itBelf of course has adopted a neutral attitude, and tho German traders, as well us the British, receive fair treatment.

Gutting Down Expenses. . ' The Tongan Government relies however upon the "treaty of friendship"' which at present operates between Great Britain and Tonga, linder which Tonga is promised protection from all hostile attacks. The situation' in Tonga just now, said Mr. Moody, was somewhat, serious. Tho main output of the group ivas copra. The price of copra is very low indeed, so low that the natives were disinclined to make it. If that state ■of affairs continues, and it probably will during the war, the natives will have no money. They can, of course, live- on yams; 'fish, and fruit, but they will liot be able to pay their taxes,, nor will thuj be able to buy goods front traders. Consequently neither from taxation nor fr.om Customs duties would there be any appreciable,revenue. That being so the Tongan Government would be compelled to draw upon, its reserve fund, and this rendered it necessary, that the Government should consider a scheme, of retrenchment: In fact, it was current rumour when Mr. Moody left Tonga that the Privy Council was already considering drastic retrenchment proposals. ..'.." ■ ■ / Incredulous Islanders. At Nukualofa, the only arrival other than the schooner- Ysabel was that of the four-masted schooner Alexander, 40 days out from Seattle. The vessel had not spoken a ship nor put into, port, and could supply no information at all The captain kindly sold a few hundred pounds of flour and about 501b. of butter .from the ship's stores. , Many of the Islanders had. been without' bread and butter for days, but there was fortunately plenty of other food. On September i the Philomel hove in sight. The warship's boat put the postman ashore, and a group of ladies gathered round him eager for news. "What has happened? 1 ' they said. Don't you know?" he replied. "Why, war with. Germany."

But they would not believe him. So he said: "Ladies, I shall demand _ a written apology from you for doubting my word." The news travelled. Sonic believed that an' international war b: broken out; others refused to believe anything of the kind. In one quarter of tho town a store owned by a German is opposite a store belonging to an-Eng-lishman, and- from doorways ■ of these stores a New Zealander and a German laughingly pointed unloaded guns at each other. These two men had not then convinced themselves that the evil news was true. During the afternoon a man got hold of a copy of an Auckland newspaper, and people were then convinced that war had indeed broken put.