Editor,

THANK you very much Katalin for your letter on 08/07/2011 - rather good of you to stick your neck out for your friends. However, stripping down the emotional layers of nonsensical and gibberish issues, we are left with Tonga's economy and what the people of Tonga could do to get the country out of debt. We live in a civilized democratic society and open economic dialogue enhances knowledge and gives birth to new ideas of economic growth.

Here is the big picture: according to the Finance Minister's report published in June 2011, the current debt Tonga has is around T$392.45 million which is about 56.1% of the GDP. In addition to this, the loan from China will all be drawn down by the end of this autumn to complete existing construction projects currently running in the Kingdom – this is another T$31 millions.

All Tongans at home and abroad should make themselves aware of the economic reality in the Kingdom. All Tongans should be encouraged to debate the economic situation and to look for ways of making money to help pay off the high level of debt currently hanging around Tongan people's neck. And yes, London properties should be renovated and rented out to earn money for the people of Tonga. Of course, the renovation will cost money, but you don't have to worry about that because the EU&UK Tongan community will be quite happy I am sure to fund-raise to pay for the renovation.

May I take this opportunity to thank the current EU/UK High Commissioner as well as previous EU/UK High Commissioners for their hard work in the past and present for their country, and we the people of Tonga, home and abroad can't thank them enough for their services. However, given the level of debt Tonga currently has, it does make economic sense to start looking for ways to make money. One of my suggestions in my previous letter is to delegate responsibilities downward. What I mean by that is, for example, that the jobs carried out by the HC could be done by the First Secretary but at a lesser cost. This idea could also be introduced across all the Public Services in Tonga. There are 26 CEOs currently working for the Government of Tonga, about 4,000 Government staff and 90% of [some] Department's budget (according to the Finance Report) goes on staff pay. Does the Government really need 26 CEOs? (Open for debate).

Financial Aid programmes are designed by rich countries to assist poor countries like Tonga with the hope that one day they would be strong enough to get up, be self sufficient, bake their own cakes and take delight in eating them. The reality. of course. is sadly but truly that, as described by Katalin in her letter on paragraph five – "someone from THC have to attend and participate in these meetings to defend and advance Tonga's interests and hopefully maximize our share of the cake". Yes indeed ladies and gentlemen, we have become a professional beggar.

Regards

Senolita Swan
senolita_swan_3 [at] msn [dot] com ( senolita_swan_3 [at] msn [dot] com)

PS: there is a lovely article available on-line about Queen Elizabeth II travelling by train from London to Norfolk. Google "Queen and train" or read it on Daily Mail on Line – very good pictures of her as well. She does indeed travel by public trains and the British public love her even more now than ever before.