Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, December 3-6, 2007. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

FACING the disappointment of teachers under his care over a yet to be fulfilled 25% pay rise, and the imminent departure of 28 teachers from Queen Salote College, Dr. Feleti 'Atiola, president of the education division of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, told the Taimi of December 3, of a common saying that working for the church is a challenge, since it is the lowest paid throughout Tonga, and admit that more teachers may be contemplating leaving. According to Dr. 'Atiola, the raise had been approved, but they were bring careful to avoid the difficulty experienced by the government, following the civil servants pay rise. He said the church is always short of teachers.

The Taimi reported that the Langa Fonua Tu'uloa Party will field nine candidates at next year's Legislative Assembly election, quoting New Zealand lawyer Sione Fonua.

The Kele'a on December 5 reported that an anthropologist, Dr. 'Okusitino Mahina, told a parliamentary select committee in Auckland that denying to children, born to parents who are overstaying, access to school and hospital facilities is a violation of human rights, which New Zealand, as a member of the United Nations had pledged to uphold.

The Taimi on December 6 reported that the excessive consumption of hard liquor by Tongans recruited for seasonal work in New Zealand farms was causing absenteeism, loss of earnings, quarrels, brawls, and one allegation of rape. The Tongan government is taking measures to tackle this, which include vetting applicants to weed out the drinkers.

The Kalonikali on December 6 reported that Baron Vaea, who chaired the annual general meeting of the Tonga Rugby Football Union, was so confused by the intense exchanges that he begged them to appoint a new chairman. The meeting was postponed to December 21, subject to approval by the Chief justice.