Island may change but in its own time

By KAHUNGUNU BARRON-AFEAKI*

I have read and listened to the wave of criticism of Tonga. I could forgive myself for thinking Tonga is a feudal political system that suppresses freedom of speech, is rife with corruption and has a nobility living lavishly at the expense of impoverished and unhappy commoners.

If this were the case, why are seven of the 10 wealthiest families in Tonga commoners? Only 4 to 5 per cent of Tonga's land is now owned by the royal family and nobility.

The remainder has been distributed over time to commoners, who "own" (through perpetual leasehold) this land and are obligated to no one.

Tongans are one of the world's most travelled people. The country, with 100,000 people, sustains a daily international flight. One in three owns a motor vehicle.

At least 70 per cent are mortgage-free and live on unencumbered land. About 100,000 Tongans live overseas and pour millions of dollars into the Tongan economy by bank transfers.

United Nations figures on education state that Tonga has the world's highest number of tertiary graduates a head of population. Education and healthcare are free, including dental care.

Tonga has a higher literacy rate than New Zealand and Australia. Its education system is very good. Primary education has been compulsory and free in Tonga since 1876.

Tonga has never been controlled, invaded or colonised. It is totally controlled and owned by Tongans, unlike all other Polynesian nations which have varying levels of control exercised over them by European countries.

All Tongans enjoy "lavish" celebrations and place great importance on this. Some of the most lavish celebrations have been those of commoners. The biggest cause of death is heart failure: Tongans eat far too much good food.

Women occupy many positions of influence.

The Governor of the Reserve Bank and the heads of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Law and Central Planning, and the Prime Minister's office, are women.

One could mistake Taimi'o Tonga (the Tonga Times) for a Tongan newspaper. It is not. It is published by a New Zealand company owned by an American citizen, Kalafi Moala.

Hence, when Tonga stops the import of a "product" it does not see fit for the country, it has a sovereign right to do so.

All nations have varying yardsticks for justifiable censorship. What Tonga finds objectionable is not always the same as other nations.

Britain regularly prosecutes its citizens under official secrets laws. France regularly enforces strongly pro-French cultural legislation.

As a Tongan, I consider Taimi'o Tonga to be scurrilous. It hides behind its offshore status to throws stones at Tonga. It does this without being properly accountable within Tonga's jurisdiction.

If it had integrity, it would base itself in Tonga and properly contest the validity of many of its claims in the courts.

Another publication, the Kele'a, is based in Tonga. Akilisi Pohiva, a Tongan MP, runs it. Again, I find much of its content objectionable. It is not, however, banned. The Kele'a enjoys freedom of speech but is accountable in Tonga.

Pohiva has been successfully sued twice for defamation. A jury of average Tongan citizens found him guilty.

Freedom of speech in Tonga is both healthy and rigorous. Tonga has an ancient tradition of debate and oratory. The royal nephew, Prince Tu'ipelehake, has expressed an opinion contrary to that of the Government.

I agree with him that the rule of law must prevail, and it does. I want the Tongan Government to hold back from changing the constitution and to allow the Court of Appeal hearing. The grounds for this appeal are sound and correct.

The court decision in favour of the Taimi'o Tonga was flawed because Justice Ward applied rights under the constitution, conferred on Tongan subjects and people living in Tonga only, to foreigners living overseas.

The essence of jurisdiction and the freedom of speech is tempered by proper accountability to the audience one seeks. How can foreigners overseas be held accountable in Tonga?

Tongans should also not be too concerned about New Zealand's high-brow opinion and attempts to bring their country into disrepute. New Zealand's history of treating Polynesians is not the best.

Some forms of showing respect in Tonga have been described arrogantly as the "obeisance of commoners ... crawling across the floor toward the throne as ... high farce ... or a stupid anachronism". As a Tongan, I will very humbly and happily do so before my King and for my country.

Olympic silver medallist Paea Wolfgramm did so and presented his medal to the King.

His humility gained him enormous respect, strength and adoration in Tonga. Being humble in New Zealand is often equated with weakness. Not so in Tonga; it means strength.

The monarchy is the quintessential expression of Tongan culture. Many Tongans say that without the monarchy, we are not Tongan. We would become just another island nation whose culture, language and history were dying, and which was constantly threatened by the xenophobic West.

Tonga will make changes in its own time. It has done so in the past without any foreign country telling it what to do. It has been a world leader in social change. It still holds its own. It will do so again, with style.

* Kahungunu Barron-Afeaki, an Auckland barrister, is a dual Tongan and New Zealand citizen.