The campaign by seven of the nine people's representatives to win public support to oppose the Tonga government's proposed changes to Clause 7 "Freedom of Speech" of the Constitution is in full swing, and they are calling for people to turn out for a national demonstration on Monday 6 October 2003 .

Protest marches will be held in the three main centres of Nuku'alofa, 'Ohonua, Pangai and Neiafu. In Nuku'alofa the marchers will present a nation-wide petition to the King expressing their objections to the proposed changes to Clause 7, which will restrict Freedom of Speech in the kingdom.

People's Representatives in 'Eua and Ha'apai are reported to have won almost full support from the people who attended the campaign meetings. The two PRs who have not been active in the campaign are the Vava'u representatives, Trevor Guttenbeil and 'Etuate Lavulavu.

Meanwhile, the Tonga government has launched a counter-campaign to try and explain to district and town officers why government wants to amend Clause 7. But despite some clear questions, there were not many clear answers for the people who attended.

The high level team including the Acting Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Clive Edwards; the Minister of Land, Hon. Tuita; the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, Hon. Dr Masaso Paunga, the Minister of Justice, Hon. 'Aisea Taumoepeau; the Solicitor General, 'Alisi Taumoepeau; and the Chief Secretary to Cabinet 'Eseta Fusitu'a held meetings in Vava'u. Then last week a small team of Hon. Clive Edwards, 'Alisi Taumoepeau and 'Eseta Fusitu'a went to Ha'apai.

Both of these meetings were later televised in Tongatapu and a rough calculation on the support of government from its people on the field does not look good. In Vava'u many people challenged the need for the change, and in Ha'apai the support for government was lower than Vava'u.

With very poor response from village leaders the government delegation, particularly in the Ha'apai meeting, changed their tactics, and instead of revealing the reasons for the proposed Constitutional change, a lot of time was spent by members of the team complaining that the People's Representatives to the parliament were over paid, and that a recent pay rise had put them well above senior public servants.

In response to a question on why government wanted to amend Clause 7, 'Eseta Fusitu'a explained that they were unhappy that the Supreme Court had over-turned ordinances made by the King in Privy Council, and that the Court of Appeal had not upheld an appeal by government. 'Eseta said it was odd for the Chief Justice to think that he had the right to over-turn an ordinance because it was made by His Majesty in Council, but he would not have the right to touch a decision made by the King under his royal prerogative.

At the Ha'apai meeting a woman reported that the People's Representatives were organising a national protest march for October 6 and a petition to be presented to the King. She said that when the PRs were asked what would happen if government proceeded regardless with the proposed amendment, the PRs had replied that the people who hold the power in the country would have to take action with their own sweat and blood.

The Minister of Police, Hon. Clive Edwards, told the woman that at such a turning point the people will have to decide whether to join the good guys or the bad guys. He also told the lady that what she reported to have been said by the people representatives was "treason."

The Bill to amend Clause 7, which will severely limit people's freedom to criticise government, is scheduled to be debated in the House on October 6.