Results for Letters

It is enlightening to hear the expressed views of overseas Tongans as highlighted in Mangisi's article, (Education for export, a new perspective, 26/4). Mangisi is expressing a very real concern against the plight of Tonga and the unpredictability in its current economic and political stagnation. Let me therefore offer a different perspective to what Mangisi have already stated. - Jason Faletau

With the wretched economic climate in Tonga, the people can ill afford to ignore the malfeasance and graft typically exercised by those in power to potentially manipulate the terms of acquisition of Shoreline. Both Government and Shoreline should not exercise complete autonomy in this venture because the interest of the consumers is at stake. Therefore, the process and result need to exist in symbiosis with the community. Shoreline has not provided much financial, operational & maintenance details to suggest a compelling economic proposition thus this creates ample opportunity for critical errors exacerbated by various factors. - Mele Payne Lynch

The call for the return of the power generation from Shoreline to government or the private sector should focus on the anticipation that Tonga will have a fairer, more transparent and just power industry. Perhaps service deliveries may improve too. Cheaper electricity is something else and I am afraid it won...’t help to mislead people now that the electricity will be cheaper only by taking it away from Shoreline. - Sailosi Finau

If we choose to say that Tonga belongs to the People of Tonga including the monarchy and the nobility, then why the devil is the Royal family and especially Tupouto'’a is allowed to just do as they please with the nation, assets and all, Shoreline, Tonfon, Airlines, Tongasat, Passports etc. So what do we do ? - Sione Tapani Mangisi

The fiasco concerning Shoreline and its operation is a dilemma created by the government themselves. From your article of the same (8 April), it is clear that both the government and Shoreline operatives have collided with their various public statements, and in turn raises many questions. Shoreline is now returning the favor, giving the government the first option to buy back the electricity business. -Jason Faletau

When electric power generation and distribution was privatised, Tupou IV announced to the nation that Tonga would have cheaper electricity because Shoreline would be able to get cheaper fuel from the United States. In disbelief, I made some observations and asked some rhetorical questions: -Lisiate Ikaafu

An Industrial Kupesi must be created, that does not destroy the local confidence with too many items in the "too hard basket", but will kindle and enhance the Tongan peoples' creativities and innovation, their lateral thinking, their "ta‘efieto" attitude and hard work to make it happen. If we continue with this approach to industrial development then we are halfway there because the driving energy and inspiration I am talking about, must come from the minds and the hearts of the Tongan people.

Tonga has just won the 2006 Pacific Cup rugby league tournament in Auckland and this must be a delight to all Tongans. Malo ‘aupito to the administrators, the coach and officials and to the players too. The team has definitely lived up to its name Mate Ma‘a Tonga. - Sailosi Finau

Tofaeono Misatauveve says that Tonga is the "only remaining Pacific kingdom" but this is not so. In the Wallis and Futuna Islands there are three kingdoms, Uvea, Sigave and Alo. They may not be as well known as Tonga but they are still Pacific kingdoms. - John Blyth