Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, March 24-27, 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

Questions were raised in the Taimi on March 24, over the non-inclusion of villagers from some rural areas such as Longoteme in the New Zealand RSE work scheme. These people are more accustomed to farm labor, unlike the urban dwellers of Kolomotu'a. The future of Kolomotu'a RSE workers hangs in doubt while Saia 'Aholelei, who was dismissed by Kerifresh invalidating both his contract and visa, fails to return to Tonga. The Kolomotu'a town officer Sioo Tu'iano continues to plead with Saia 'Aholelei, who must return or else nine others, already recruited by the company from their district will not be allowed to travel to New Zealand, and will be replaced by people from other areas. Saia has since engaged a lawyer in New Zealand.

According to the Kele'a on March 26, the Minister of Tourism Fineasi Funaki escaped being sacked because he is, "the Prime Minister's microphone, who babbles for the government in parliament."

The Talaki on March 26 quoted the Prime Minister as saying that the punishment of "a severe censure, a final warning, and work without pay for three months" imposed on Hon. Fineasi Funaki, was sufficient for the Tourism Minister's error.

The Taimi on March 27 reports that a petition filed on March 10 from Vava'u, to restore the former rate of custom duties on motor vehicles had been approved by Cabinet; being one of the speediest responses to a petition, considering that many others have still not been acted on.