Editor:

With all due respect to Mr. Peter Goldstern letter to Matangitonga online, I disagree vehemently with his narrow view of what the Honorable PM of NZ should said in his presentation of the NZ Aid package to Tonga. Even with your comparison of how Export tax justify your numbers dollar wise.

In my view, it is disingenuous for Mr Goldstern to characterize what was a genuine act by the Honorable PM in his first trip to the Kingdom. I suggest that Mr. Goldstern should read up and understand the History between NZ, Australia and Tonga.

History tells us that each world major country with wealth to share, and are members of the United Nation has a Moral Obligation to help and assist Third World Country that does not have the Rich and Natural Resources to take care of it's Citizens and their basic needs. World Banks was established for this purpose. There were several agreements that was structured after World War II, starting with the Unite States of America and it's "Marshall Plan", creating it to help and assisting with financing and the rebuilding of Germany, and Several European Country and Japan.

Foreign Affair and Aid Programs was established by all Major Civilized Country, and especially in the US and England and all it's British Commonwealth members as NZ and Australia. Australia and NZ was asked to looked after the small Pacific Islands in the Pacific because of their demographic location.

Australia and NZ has had a long relationship in their generosity and kindness in their aid's program especially with providing scholarship for Tonga's brightest students (current Tonga PM included) sending them to Australia and NZ top University. And also gives funding aids to helped improved their roads, water systems, and all other part of the Kingdom's infrastructure. All people of Tonga does not think that these aids are monopoly money, For Mr. Glodstern information, just today, the United State House of Representative just pass a $48.8 billion-Foreign Affair Budget: by:318-106.

I know that Tonga is very grateful for these aids from all these wealthier nations, and especially ones that have their embassy in the Kingdom, to assist with the needs of it's Tonga's citizen.

Much 'Aloha and Tu'a 'Ofa Atu

MTTuaileva

Director/American Pacific Islanders Foundation

mttprod [at] gmail [dot] com