Reports from Tonga's newspapers, December 3-11, 2008. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

The Taimi on December 10 reports that recent incidents involving Tongan seasonal farm labourers recruited under the New Zealand RSE scheme, highlights the need for refinement in the selection process. The NZ department of immigration is currently looking for Teisina Pousini, who bolted after being hired to pick apples by Taylor Corp.

Another seasonal labourer, Kalafitonu Laulotu, from Leimatu'a appeared in court at Kaikohe, for indecently exposing himself to a female sales assistant in Woolworths; he is expected to be flown home this week.

Another, 'Anitelu Kapeta from Vava'u was sent back to Tonga last week after being caught stealing a pair of shoes from the Warehouse department store.

The Kele'a on December 10 reports that despite the significant drop in the price of crude oil, the retail price of petrol at $2.74 per litre continues to be an annoyance to the people of Tonga. The Kele'a wonders if the government tax collection is a factor in keeping the price high.

The Talaki on December 10 quotes the Finance Minister as saying that government ministers will receive on average a 2% pay rise.

The Kalonikali on December 11 reports that Tonga's contingent of 55 soldiers who were serving in Iraq, are expected home in the coming weeks.

The Kele'a on December 3 reports that soldiers had departed from the TV OBN offices, which had been closed since the riots of 2006; but employees found that some had defecated in the office and they claim there were signs that the premises may have been "used as a quasi-brothel."

The Talaki on December 3 expresses doubt about the government ministers' massive pay rise.

The Taimi on December 3 reports that the Taimi Media Network Productions started operating on 1 December 2008 with a daily six-hour segment as TMN-TV2 on the CCTV channel. It leases the airtime from the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.

Minister of Finance Afu'alo Matoto denied to journalists last week that ministers are getting a 125% pay rise, as claimed by some.