Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, December 26, 2007- January 3 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

An elderly Italian, who reputedly earns $100,000 annually from growing tomatoes on one acre of sandy soil, told the Taimi of December 27 that Tongans are hard workers, but they need organization and direction. The solution to Tonga's economic woes is in the hands of the Tongans themselves.

The newspaper also reports that Pusili Taufa, 26, a Tongan labourer under the seasonal employment scheme in New Zealand, pleaded not guilty in a Nelson court to the charge of raping a woman at a party.

The Princess Regent Pilolevu Tuita and Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho spent Christmas in Vava'u, much to the delight of the Vava'uans. The royal party stayed in Vava'u from December 21-31.

The Peau Vava'u airline has withdrawn from servicing the domestic routes. It has not resumed flying ever since its main office was destroyed in the fire that gutted the Pacific Royale Hotel. According to the Taimi the fear is that with only one airline, Airlines Tonga, operating, airfares will rise. Efforts to contact the Ministry of Transport, in connection with this failed, because all the phone numbers provided were disconnected.

Civil servants queued outside the Treasury last Friday to draw fat cheques for overtime and other allowances. The Taimi estimated that millions of pa'anga were paid out and that each recipient collected on average several thousands, up to $10,000, coming on top of their 60,70,80 % pay rise.

Kele'a correspondent Mo'ale Finau, writing under the headline, "Prime Minister's meaningless trip to Ha'apai" in the newspaper's December 26 edition, described it as a money-wasting, time-wasting exercise, and an abuse of the tax revenue of the people of Ha'apai. This is the PM's second trip to Ha'apai within one month.

To illustrate what is going on in government, the Kele'a says that apart from the Cabinet consisting of the PM, the ministers and the two governors, there is also a "second Cabinet", chaired by the PM, but whose members are Lopeti Senituli, Kalafi Moala, Viliami Afeaki, and Rob Solomon. The arrangement, comments the Kele'a, is breeding suspicions and jealousies.

The Kele'a on January 2 reports that more than 1,500 Tongans, whose applications for US visas were rejected last year, spent in excess of T$1.395 million in airfares and application fees alone, excluding accommodation, meals, airport taxes, and other expenses. A family of 11, whose quest for US visas failed, are still waiting in Suva for their fares back to Tonga. Another applicant, who is also in Fiji, wonders if the US Immigration and Air Pacific have struck a deal that interviews can only be conducted in Fiji.

In the Taimi on January 3, the CEO of the Ministry of Tourism Edgar Cocker accuses the minister, Hon. Fineasi Funaki, of malfeasance. Edgar also denounced the recent tourism festivals in Vava'u and Ha'apai as ill-organized and occasions to give away money.

Interviewed in the Taimi the outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner Dr. Michael McBryde had no doubt that a democratic form of government would be best for Tonga. However, he was concerned about the lack of understanding of the true meaning of democracy. When he returns to Wellington, Dr McBryde will administer human rights programs for the New Zealand government.

A Granny Smith apple tree at the home 'Ameleki Katoa of Houmakelikao, is bearing green apples the size of those that are imported from New Zealand. It was cultivated just like any other. 'Ameleki is also growing the Red Delicious variety.