Happy Tongans

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 9

Happy Tongans

Sir, —As evidence of the effect of good government in relation to crime and unemployment, I should like to quote the following excerpt from a letter just received from a member of high standing in the Tongan Government. The Tongan Government is, of course, composed entirely of people of the Tongan race. (1) Tongans are not permitted to

mortgage their lands. (2) The suicide rate in Tonga is infinitesimal —there has been only one suicide in the last five years.

(3) The murder rate is infinitely lower than the suicide rate—there has been but one murder in Tonga in the last 40 years. (4) The insanity rate is also remarkably low. At present there are two persons of unsound mind detained in an institution, but one of these is a native of Niue. (5) There is approximately one policeman to every 1000 people. (6) At the age of 16 all males commence to pay a tax, and are eligible for tax allotments, which are of sufficient size to provide food for the taxpayer and his family. He retains this allotment until the day of his death. (7) In view of the grant of tax allotments, there is no need for any special provision for old people. This is truly an inspiring example of what Christian government can achieve when it applies the principles of Christianity to government, instead of merely professing such principles. AU Tongans, of course, have their own homes.—l am, etc.. P. B. FITZHERBERT. Wellington, January 23.