From the House, Minute No. 51, Tuesday September 28, 2004.

- Annual Report of the Environment Department

- Vahai'i calls for a Diaper War

- Pohiva said that if Ministers could not solve this small problem of plastics and diapers what were they capable of solving?

- There was a power cut.

Speaker - reminded the House that there was still a lot of work to be done. He said there were Bills and Annual Reports from government ministeries.

Noble Vaha'i - said that at the end of the rollcall every morning, the clerk said that those who were not present were presumed to be coming late, but then some of them never turned up for work. He asked to stop the lying that these people were coming late, when, in fact, they never come to work.

Speaker - said that he kept a record of those who never attended the House each day.

The legislature dissolved into the Whole House Committee and the Chairman, Prince Tu'ipelehake took his Chair and the proceedings continued with the Annual Report of the Environment Department.

'Akilisi Pohiva - commented that the department has 15 well educated people, two PhDs, four MAs and 11 BScs. The question was what were they doing? The report said that they were collecting and analysing information but meanwhile the environment was under attack with people discarding plastic bags and diapers all over the place. He said that the environment's enemy number one were diapers and plastic bags. He asked the minister if these scholars could find a solution to the problem.

Deputy Prime Minister, also responsible for the environment - he said that the people at the department could tell people on their radio program not to throw plastic bags and diapers in public places. He suggested for Tonga to adopt strict law like in Singapore and introduce a fine of $500 for the discarding of one cigarette butt.

Noble Vaha'i - suggested that for the country to defeat the enemy of plastic and diapers they should declare a war on diapers, The Diaper Wars.

'Akilisi Pohiva - said that as we pushed ahead with development, and our quest to have things like five-stars hotels we overlooked the basic, the little things that matters. The ship wrecks on the reefs which have been sitting there for years, and as for the public toilet, you have to fight flies to get in there.

'Etuate Lavulavu - asked the member, if during the 18 years he had been in the House had he drafted a Bill or had he done anything to solve the rubbish problem?

'Akilisi Pohiva - said that the rubbish issue was raised year after year, but still nothing was done. He said that if he was a Minister he would have solved the problem. He pleaded with the Minister for Environment to do something about plastic and diapers before December. He suggested to stop the use of plastic bags in the shops and in the market.

Deputy Prime Minister - said he has no power to infringe the right of the people to use plastic bags.

'Akilisi Pohiva - told the minister that he has the power.

Deputy Prime Minister - said that he has the power to stop people from throwing rubbish around the place, but he can't stop them from using plastic bags if they want to.

'Akilisi Pohiva - suggested that instead of buying diapers, Tonga should go back to using napkins.

Deputy Prime Minister - suggested for the member to go and talk to women groups.

'Akilisi Pohiva - reminded the Minister that when foreigners came to Tonga and saw some good or bad, they would like to know the leaders and the Ministers in this government. They don't ask for the members of parliament. They judge your work from little things like rubbish. He said that if Ministers could not solve this small problem, what were they capable of solving.

Deputy Prime Minister - said he heard it loud and clear, and he would do something about it.

'Akilisi Pohiva - said that the problem was urgent and something should be done immediately.

There was a power cut and the House was postponed to 10:00 am the following day.