Hard-line warning as royal house burns

The anti-royal message is clear, painted on a structure in Nuku'alofa. Picture / Kenny Rodger

NUKU'ALOFA - As Tongans in Auckland yesterday ended their protest outside their King's house, a royal home in the Pacific kingdom was torched - the most extreme act of violence connected to its national strike.

Police last night left the Epsom property of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, where up to 50 people had gathered supporting pay rises for 3000 striking civil servants.

In Tonga, the Government appears to be hardening against those taking industrial action.

The Herald yesterday obtained a copy of a submission to the Public Service Commission sent this week from Director of Education Viliami Takau, which recommends striking teachers be sacked if they do not return to work.

It also recommends all non-teaching posts occupied by Ministry of Education employees be made redundant. Mr Takau advised the commission that dismissed employees who later wished to be re-employed could apply but would be appointed at the minimum salary.

The fire was at a royal beach house on the main island of Tongatapu. It was burned to the ground at 4am.

A neighbour, Taniela Tonga, said the house was unoccupied at the time and rarely used. The Herald understands the King occasionally stays at the modest house on the northern coast of Tongatapu when he visits Mua village, where his father, Prince Tungi, died.

The power was disconnected at the residence, called Uoleva, and Taniela said empty bottles of kerosene were found nearby and had been taken away by fire officers.

Across the road is a Government primary school, one of dozens affected by the strike, now in its fifth week.

An education officer, who did not want to be named, told the Herald he and his teacher wife would stay out as long as it took to win fair pay rises.

The 59-year-old father of four said he earned just over $300 a week and wanted an extra $400 a year.

In his district only one out of 22 primary schools had been able to open after school holidays ended a week ago.

"Many parents were refusing to send their children to school in support of the strikers," he said. "We have the support of the majority of Tongans."

But he was upset at the reports of violence in Auckland. "We don't like violence, we hope this can be solved peacefully."

Former New Zealand Employment Court chief judge Tom Goddard has been appointed mediator in the civil servants' dispute.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said the Tongan Government had decided to invite Judge Goddard to mediate, and the New Zealand Government would meet the costs.

- additional reporting: Derek Cheng