From the House, Minute No. 1

From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular.

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 1, Tuesday 5 June 2007.

- House replies to the King's Speech from the Throne

The Speaker, Noble Havea Tu'iha'ateiho called on the Chief Clerk of the House to read the draft of a letter from the House, responding to the king's Speech from the Throne on the opening of parliament on Thursday, May 31.

The letter was a pledge by Members of Parliament that they will fulfil the wishes of the king. The letter also praised the king for his foresight in trying to revive the economy and to establish diplomatic missions in Wellington and Canberra.

Following the reading of the letter, Noble Lasike, proposed to make the expression, "to live in a secure country" to be active rather than passive.

After morning tea the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Viliami Tangi, did not think there was any need for the committee to continue editing the letter, they should pass it and get on with their work.

People's Representative, 'Isileli Pulu, suggested the deletion of the word "tukupa" or commited. He did not think it was proper to say that the House was tukupa - committed to advance the king's ventures to advance the economy. He suggested that instead of "tukupa", they should say that they "will try".

He told the House that when he entered the House, he pledged his alliance to Tupou IV who had now passed away, so he did not think it was right for him to make a commitment, but he would try.

People's Representative, 'Akilisi Pohiva, suggested that they would "try very hard". He also thought it was not right to praise the king for his foresight in establishing missions in Wellington and Canberra, because the idea had been proposed by PRs, a number of times in the past.

The Governor of Ha'apai, Noble Malupo, reminded the member that numerous issues had been raised in the House but if it came at the right time that was when it is put to good use.

'Isileli Pulu suggested that if they were committed to advance ventures to promote "economic development", why not say "economic and political development".

The Minister for Tourism, Hon. Fineasi Funaki, reminded the member that they were responding to a speech from the throne, and not presenting a motion.

'Akilisi Pohiva said that he wanted to include politics in the letter because the king in his speech referred to a civil disturbance. He said that such an expression should not have been in the speech because despite the hardship that took place, the speech had declared the occurence guilty.

People's Representative, Samu Vaipulu, favoured the use of the word "Tukupa" - committed. He said that if they expressed that they were committed, it meant that they would work hard to achieve their working agenda. He suggested to reword the sentence to read - that they "are committed to work toward advancing the economy, and if they fail for His Majesty to close the House, and stop the wasting of the people's money". We then can all go home, he said.

Chair of the Whole House Committee, Noble Tu'ilakepa, called for votes and the unchanged draft letter of reply was passed 26-3. Against were 'Akilisi Pohiva, 'Isileli Pulu and Clive Edwards.

The committee changed into Legislature and the Speaker took his Chair. He called for second voting on the letter. It was carried 27-2. Against were 'Akilisi and 'Isileli.

The Speaker then called on Noble Vaha'i and Noble Luani to take their letter of reply to the king.

The House closed until Thursday, June 7.