TUI VAKANO

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1921, Page 4

TUI VAKANO

TONGAN PREMIER’S PHILOSOPHY

PRINCIPLES OF BROTHERHOOD

SYDNEY, July 6

Our boasted civilisation does not impress Tui Yakano, the Premier of the native kingdom of Tonga, who is visiting Sydney. In conversation with the party ol pressmen who interviewed him on aiiival here last week from his pleasant little Island domain, Tui Yakano chuckled at the term “civilisation,” and inquired if it were usually interpreted to express Russian affaiis, liisli dissensions and outrages, and universal embroilment. In tlutt event he propounded a panacea. Not necessarily a League of Nations, or agreement in armaments, but everywhere in the acceptance of the principle of brotherhood.

The Premier, descendant from a line of great chiefs, is a gentleman of education and great courtesy, wisely read in international affairs, and, while a student of tilings abstruse, more or less, obviously loves the simple life and the simple ways. He speaks excellent English from a fine vocabulary and is constructive in thought and expression.

"Brotherhood as a panacea,” lie said, to the “Evening News” representative “Perhaps you would call it primitive. But only because it is simple and probably Tongan. You do not seem able to evolve anything better with all your parley and Parliaments. And what’s Lloyd George and the rest trying for if it isn’t brotherhood? My people do not understand this diplomacy, and it does not seem to have lieou a success with yours. Try the simple remedies, for the simple things appeal to the hearts of the people and make for true happiness.” He went on to explain that Tongan laws encouraged respect for authority. “Not the authority of the Queen or of the chiefs, as some of you think,” he said, “but the authority of the (ample represented by Parliament.”

The Tongan Parliament, be further said, was constituted of representatives >f the people rind of the heredi ■* :liiel's in equal numbers. The Ministry was nominated by Parliament, and aj>nointed by the Queen. How could a

half-nominpe Chamber he considered democratic? some might ask. “By the respect of each side for the rights of the other,” was the Premier’s reply. ‘‘The hereditary chiefs,” lie emphasised, “have their rights, too. They neecsarily exert a great inlluciice over their tribes. They explain to them the laws

and see that they are obeyed. And they as the law-givers must respect the mis. Some, 1 know, would not believe hat hereditary chiefs would concede

anything democratic but—just a mo uient while 1 think of those terms—-oh yes, they arc aristocrats not autocrats

vlial you would call gentlemen. They would not abuse their positions or their power. So they arc respected.

Wlint if a candidate nominated by lie chiefs’ side of the House for tlie

Ministry were unacceptable to the people? was asked. “Well,” replied .lie Premier, "the child's sav why, ami

: !u* people say why not, and the Queen after consultation with her advisers decides.”

It appeared, however, that honesty

is the greatest test of eligibility. \ man might he qualified in every other

way. hut were lie proved to have been lislioiiest at any period in bis life, that would end it.

"We have lmnest politicians in Tonga,” the Premier remarked pleas-antly—-and innocently. "Have you noted anything in our

laws worthy of adopting?” a reporter I tic* i it*»l. "It would be very nice ’o go in for taxation,” lie answered with a merry laugh. "It would be a very

very simple way of settling all problems. But the Tongans would not have it. No. Ha, ha. They would say that we were too lazy to think. Outside that,” la* continued, "I have seen ,mtking. Wo legislate for our comli:ion. That is, we make legislation for conditions, not conditions for legislation. 1 hope 1 put it right in your language. I don’t know.” "Have you any suffragettes over there?” was a question lie took quite seriously. “Feminism,” lie answore 1. “Of course our women heard of it from

■lie outside world, hut we explained to them that their place was tlie home There they are quite content to rc-

Don’t they crave for tlie fashions?

“Oli, they are sufficiently dressed in accordance with our own customs,” the Premier hastened to answer. “T do not understand that term fashions. If you mean some of the dresses I have seen, 1 would say. ‘No, our women do not crave for the fashions.’ ” Finally the Premier said, “In Tonga everyone is happy. Some, people say we are not advanced enough. Maybe, but wo are well content with out lot. and our dearest wish is to remain independent. We have no public debt, no income tax, no strikes, and none of the other ‘blessings of civilisation’ tbat Australia and other 'advance L countries so abundantly possess; and wo do not want them.”