Results for Opinion

The monthly review of the Tonga Economy released on 25/07/2007 says that the economy is slowly on the mend, but a quick look at the figures tells a different story. Taken from the latest economic indicator - Inflation is running at 5.7%, economic growth for the year is forecast at .6%; trade figures last year: imports cost $236 million but exports only raised $19 million. Unemployment is going up by as much as 20% and the National debt to date is $192 million plus $25 million in ADB Loans that Government has just approved and on top of that another $118 million loan from China. By the end of this financial year, the National debt will be $335 million. - Senolita Swan

"Obsessive bitterness", "prejudice", "figments of Ms. Lynch's imagination", "demonise", "defamatory" and "downright rude". These are terms Lopeti Senituli has chosen to use in setting Mele Payne Lynch straight on having a "constructive and objective" dialog? I rather think she has hit a nerve. Every public servant welcomes constructive and objective criticism. That is just boilerplate - something everyone says, few actually do. - Tevita Osborne

The situation in Tonga is precarious. As the Minister of Finance is feverishly trying to bounce the economy back with ambitious policies, the Prime Minister and Parliamentarians look for equilibrium in opposite directions, which explains the same old arguments, same old excuses and lack of domestic achievements. - Mele Payne Lynch

With respect to the Galaxy show, there are scenes the audiences finds humor, to others it's vice versa. Everyone has the rights to their opinion, and one is entitle to it. It will be nice to encourage an age limit, (not forgetting nightclubs), but it's simply complicated as; "no laws for seat belts, yet rule of thumb is, put your seat belts on for prevention!!" Parliament probably believes seat belts are common sense, "who needs to enforce it?" Will be a legend. - Local Parent

The reason why I brought up this issue in my last letter was my fear that the two small children, approximately 4-6 years of age who were sitting close to me, would in one way or another be adversely affected by the fakaleitis' performances. May I remind you Ms. Telesia Finau that the young children of Tonga too have constitutional rights to appropriate and beneficial environment of education. - Siosaia Fatani

My fellow Tongans - I am writing this letter to remind you all that the deadline for showing your interest in the Tonga Communication Corporation Shares is Friday-20/07/2007. This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to invest in this Tongan Company and build it up to become successful for future generations. - Senolita Swan

I agree with William Mariner's last letter to Matangitonga on the issue of the new tax system. The so called tax reform will only choke infant business and lessen the chance for local Tongans to engage in small business ventures. I am just anxious as to what other types of taxes the government has in store for the poor. - Freddy Kavaha‘apai

Tonga's turmoil with the economy and politics in the last decade has been decaying away and will continue to decay. During the strikes, I wrote a letter to MatangiTonga and stating that the future of Tonga is gloomy. This forecast is an understatement and has not been witnessed yet, even after the burning of the central business area. - William Mariner

If government were to lower the taxes across the board they would not only stimulate their economy but attract many more businesses, which would cause a snowball effect and revive Tonga's economy. - Cliff Johnston