The Chairman of the Tonga Rugby League can be confident in the knowledge that what occurred to his wine was actually the law of Tonga being rightfully enforced, and not a planned conspiracy against the Tonga Rugby League, as he apparently believes. - Peter Nash, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue Customs & Trade Division
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Results for Letters
Wednesday 22 December 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Wednesday 22 December 2010
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North Carolina, USA
I fear for the future of my adopted country when, after four years of supposed progress, it seems like nothing has really changed. I pray my pessimism is unfounded, and indeed that these elections will usher in a new government and a better future for Tonga. However, from a distance, it seems like the power remains in familiar hands, and that these hands have and will continue to be self serving, without the accountability that elected officials must show. - Scott Yurcheshen.

Thursday 9 December 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The CEO of TRL is a business man who is involved in bars and restaurants and must have known the rules around liquor importation yet chose to ignore them and suffered the consequences. Legitimate business owners have a right to complain loudly to Customs if someone is trying to circumvent the system. - Salote Tu'itupou.

Wednesday 8 December 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As a Tongan living here, I would rather respect the law than someone who purports to be bringing in something in the guise that it is for Tonga Rugby League. Customs did a good thing by sending out a message that such illegal imports will not be tolerated. - Monalisa Palu.

Tuesday 7 December 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tom Fowler's suggestion for the wine that was seized by Tonga Customs to be sold at ten pa'anga a bottle. What happens to those legitimate importers who bring in identical wine which has a landed cost in Tonga of 15 pa'anga per bottle? Not very fair to honest traders, eh? - Tony Wilson.

Monday 6 December 2010
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San Mateo,California, USA
I read your article regarding Tonga's new "tough" laws against alcohol (over) consumption. What is the legal threshold (legal limit) under the new law that determine a motorist is legally drunk and unlawful to operate a vehicle. - 'Alipate Sanft.

Sunday 5 December 2010
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Papua New Guinea
Tonga's candidate to the Miss South Pacific Pagaent 2010, Mafi Tu'inukuafe was immaculate. She was a real gem for the event and surprised many of the audience with her character, charm, wit and beauty. If ever Tonga needed someone to boost its image at a time like this, she was a godsend and she made me even prouder to be a Tongan in Papua New Guinea. - John Paul Chapman.

Wednesday 24 November 2010
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Melbourne, Australia
My personal opinion is that in 1952 Prince Tupouto'a-Tungï (then Premier of Tonga) arranged for the purchase of the property by the Government of Tonga and that Queen Sālote agreed to the purchase because of her growing family and the likelihood of grandchildren later being educated in Auckland, as she had been and because of the promised hostels for Tongan students, in whose welfare she took a great interest. - Besi Wood-Ellem.

Tuesday 23 November 2010
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Auckland, New Zealand
We've done copra, bananas and other agricultural produce. We have plucked and plumbed the depths of our seas and reefs but none appears to be sustainable for long. Our labour exports are at its infancy with potential to address poverty, social issues and to provide economically through foreign exchange earnings. - Sefita Hao'uli.

Monday 15 November 2010
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USA
I find it almost funny that there has been a vacuum in the process of putting together the important pieces that are needed to run a ship. A good plan would have included the crew in the delivery trip to give the crew hands on experience and receive advice from the builder's delivery crew. - John Emberson.

Friday 12 November 2010
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Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Enough visits from U.S. Government officials to thank Tonga for her unselfish contribution to the wars in the Middle East (Chairman US Joint Chiefs . . . 10 Nov 2010). Admiral Michael Mullen should see the need to buildup the Tongan Defense Services for future services, and Tonga will always be a friend to the People of America, and England. - Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi.

Thursday 11 November 2010
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New Zealand
Let me start by saying as our mortality becomes more fragile, with the passing of time, we sometimes reflect on decisions taken that seemed perfectly sensible at the time you made them. I refer in my case to my time as Chief Executive of Tonga Investments (1994-98) when I influenced the then Board of Directors to exit commodity exports by closing down Primary Produce Exports Limited (PPEL). - Wayne Madden.

Friday 5 November 2010
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Suva, Fiji
I wish to express my dismay at the proposed sale of 'Atalanga as a private property without much regard to taxpayers whose taxes have been used to maintain the residence. - Fred Kavaha'apai.

Thursday 4 November 2010
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Auckland, New Zealand
I am amused by lawyer Nic Fisher's letter to Mr Sione Fonua in relation to the proposed sale of 'Atalanga. The letter contained some elements of intimidation that made us Tongans laugh rather than fear. Even our Tongan kids in the elementary school found Mr Fisher's warning to be very entertaining and laughable. - Dr Fotu K.V. Fisi'iahi.

Monday 25 October 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Ahongalu Fusimalohi the head of Tonga's Football Federation, is among six FIFA officers who have been suspended from taking part in any football related activity (administrative, sports or any other) by the FIFA's Ethics Committee, from October 20, 2010.

Friday 1 October 2010
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Wellington,New Zealand
While the Christchurch earthquake has not affected me personally, it has severely affected my family and friends, and the kindness and generosity of your people is absolutely outstanding and has really touched my heart. - Lissette Trewern.

Friday 1 October 2010
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Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
It's been 135 years since modern Tonga was introduced to the world of politics, business, religion, and education. Haven't we gotten just one qualified judge? It is time to break the mold. We must eliminate the flawed idea that only Papalangis are capable of being smart, intellectual, honest, and trustworthy. The longer we keep our lot in an inferior status, the longer we will deny ourselves the opportunities to excel. - Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi.

Wednesday 8 September 2010
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Brisbane, Australia
Surely, something is wrong with how the government relates to its senior legal professions. Two attorney generals and two judges ended their contract with the government in highly controversial fashion. - Tino Funaki.

Sunday 22 August 2010
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USA
Some of us may not see the mutual benefit that Tonga, U.S. and Allied Force reap from each other. It is 2010, the world has become globalised and we cannot function efficiently and effectively without the company of each other. Tonga's military is part of the Allied. There may be a cost of being part of the Allied and going to Afghanistan, but in the long run, benefits still outweigh the costs. - Sosaia Mila.

Saturday 14 August 2010
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Fasi,Nuku'alofa,Tonga
The Maritime Monument Design competition launched this week is a sad attempt at reparation that is far too little and comes way too late. The memorial wall was a selfless gift to the families of the victims in the hope that it would go some way towards appeasing their grief.- Tanya Edwards.
