Results for Opinion

In my humble opinion, the leadership and members of the civil servants/PSA, were treated like second class Tongans, (i.e. I quests that's how the "status quo", in Tonga still looks down at us commoners, a second class status, well, I have news for all of you "HOU'EIKIS", we're not, we're all human being and very proud being Tongans), maybe that is some of the "Hidden Unspoken Issues" that has not been brought out in the open, for an honest and frank discussions. - M. T. Tuaileva

A march in support of striking workers and their demands for a fair pay increase and democracy will be held this Saturday (Sept 3rd) at noon. Marchers will gather at the bottom of Queen Street. Tongan Community youth leader, Niulala Helu, said he will be marching. - Mike Treen

I can't sit around and ignore what I believe is unfairness toward our beloved king. The king is nothing else but a socio-cultural and political father to the nation. It surely is not fun for him to maintain the highest degree of respectability, be a model and a leader and try to make everyone of his subjects happy.-Sailosi Finau

Before you begin to stand for what you think is "right," take a deep breath, consider the possibilities from every corner then make your statement. Years of neglect, struggles, oppression, and WRONG MOTIVES from dictatorship are some possibilities as to why OUR fellow Tongans are taking such actions. Dear editor, I am not agreeing that acts of violence is the solution but can you blame the PEOPLE? - M. ‘Aumoeualogo

The PSA should accept the government's current wage offer for many reasons. - Sifa Citizen

But allow me to inquire the following: Should the children go to school? What are they to learn that is more important than what is going on in their lives outside of school? What are the teachers 'teaching' by standing up for their cause? I believe the students can learn from this situation and develop character through support of a cause - whether it's for or against the strikers. Children are first taught in the home and supplemented by academics that supposedly educate a 'higher' education. The parents are not in question here. But, let me be clear - the 'higher' education appears to be occurring in Pangai Si'i. - Rick Siale

In our adopted country we witnessed last night a mature Tongan male trying to head butt his way through a police barricade to seek the presence of the King. This thug who thinks himself a martyr or saviour of our Tongan brothers and sisters is nothing but a self-gratifying egotistical heat stirrer who is strangely enough the instigator for this disgraceful act of borderline tyranny of his own country. Burning our flag? Our flag that symbolises peace? My flag that was held up by Paea at the Olympics in Atlanta? - Lalo Kasia Crew

About what I learned from this chaos in Tonga, is that the majority of the people are with the strikers. And the reaction from the government to the people seems very faraway from what we expect to happen. Meaning that this is the worst government that Tonga has ever had. Or do we say that this is the worst public servants (hundreds of them) that Tonga has ever had? - Philli Qarase

I was wondering if you could tell me what the union/organisation is called that covers the government workers and maybe some contact details for them as my work colleagues and I would love to show our support to the workers of your country. - Andrea Westlake