THE RELIGIOUS DIFFICULTY AT TONGA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 474, 24 May 1890, Page 5

THE RELIGIOUS DIFFICULTY AT TONGA.

ACTION BY THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Matters between the Free Church of Tonga and the Wesleyan Church (says the “ Sydney Telegraph ”) are still in an unsettled state. The Rev. George Brown, who returned to Sydney from Tonga, states that petty persecutions are still heard of in the group, which, lie adds, only tend to show that the authorities are not in favour of the Wesleyan Church. The natives, however, are anxiously looking forward to the visit of Sir J. B. Thurston, the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, who has already notified the President of the Wesleyan Conference that he intends, during his stay at Tonga, to secure the rights of worship to the Tongan exiles. Sir J. B. Thurston is expected to visit Tonga either at the end of this or the beginning of next month. The Wesleyan Conference was occupied for a very considerable time with a discussion upon Tongan affairs. A recommendation of the special Committee, in favour of seeking the assistance of tho High Commissioner for the Western Pacific in persuading the king to keep bis pledges, was strongly opposed by many of those present, who regarded it as tantamount to a declaration of war, and held that the possible means of effecting a peaceful settlement of the trouble had nob been exhausted. Upon the other side it was maintained that the time had arrived when a firm 6tand should be made. The Rev. J. C. Symons, the ex-president of the conference, moved an amendment to the effect that before the good offices of the High Commissioner are secured a statement of the grievances of the conference be submitted to the king and Parliament of Tonga, with a request that they be considered and remedied. The amendment was lost by 12 to 94, and the recommendation carried by 99 to 5. It was resolved to re-appoint the Rev. George Brown as epecial commissioner to Tonga.