Tongans consider Government offer 

Representatives of more than 1000 Tongan civil servants were last night considering a Government offer to meet their pay demands as an interim measure while negotiations continue over their pay rates.

Those on strike, mainly teachers, want pay rises of 60 to 80 per cent.

The Public Service Association legal adviser, Clive Edwards, said yesterday the Government had offered to meet the demands in the short term while a long-term agreement was negotiated.

He said the strike committee wanted more information and was expected to report back today to its members, who have been off work for six weeks.