Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, March 17-20, 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

The Taimi on March 17 reports that 'Akilisi Pohiva and 'Uliti Uata are struggling to recruit a New Zealand based lawyer as replacement for Christopher Harder, the disbarred NZ lawyer whose Tongan legal practice licence was not renewed in 2008.

According to the Kele'a on March 19, the sending of fruit pickers to New Zealand is a government drive to recoup losses in public revenue caused by the lowering of customs duties as demanded by the WTO.

The Talaki on March 19 reports on the dropping of 'Akanete Lauti from her position as director of the Human Rights and Democracy Organization.

In the Taimi on March 20, quotes 'Akanete Lauti's predecessor, Lopeti Senituli, saying that he is not surprised as he was dealt with in similar fashion. He recalls how after three years of service, his performance as director was reviewed and declared good, with the finances in order. Then he was informed that his salary would be cut; he soon realized that it was a euphemistic way of telling him to go home. Lopeti had confronted them on what he perceived to be a conflict of interests that arose when they set up a committee for political reform. A submission was sent to the Demo committee requesting for funds, then the same people presented themselves from the Demo side and approved their own request. In Lopeti's opinion, it would not be pleasant if the foreign donors who contributed financially to the organization learned of their treatment of 'Akanete.