I have been reading heaps of writings, suggestions, comments and opinions of academics, commoners, government and fellow Tongans abroad. What I can't seem to figure is the crux of the problem. Is it the government or the people or perhaps both?

First came the sinking economy, followed by a host of allegations against prominent figures and then the strike. After a lengthy period of "no surrender", the government finally gave in. I thought that the salary increase would certainly be the key to more production, better services. A few blocks down the same Road and I read that the Minister of Finance has predicted a grim outlook for Tongan's economy. The salary increase was said to be the cause.

Further down was the Tonga's accession to the WTO. Whether this was a good idea I don't really know. perhaps our economists could elaborate further on that.

I just hope that at the end of the day we are not heading for the rocks.

Feleti. S

Suva

Fiji

falave2000 [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk