Results for Opinion

The lengthy explanation of HRH Tupouto'a confirms in detail his knowledge of what was going on, his involvement and participation. These explanations contradict what he previously said viz: ...."I was opposed to the anti-media laws on the grounds that they were not our style of doing things in this country".... How can HRH be opposed when he allowed the Bills to go through and presided over meetings where he gave advice and directions on how to maintain a united front to secure enactment of the Bills? - Clive Edwards.

Why are we still exporting vanilla beans in its raw form, squash in green form, fish, seaweeds, Kava, and many more? We can easily process them and export to earn higher value (value adding). Why are we importing frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen meat, etc? Processing and preservation of these products can be easily done in Tonga. We need to invest more in applied research and product development.-Edgar Cocker

In the Privy Council Meeting which was held before the vote over the Media Bills were about to come up in Parliament, I alluded to the fact that that this had become a cause célèbre among large sections of the public and I knew that there was dissent within the Cabinet ranks. ... Clive Edwards made an impassioned submission in support of the legislation. hrh

After Government had lost the first set of actions against it by the media, it looked at the Prohibited Publications Act and the Customs Act. I recall what was said and it’’s a matter of words whether it was proposed, suggested, implanted or hinted that Government should look at the American situation on the media and adopt it here. After that, Crown Law engaged Senior Counsel from overseas to put in place what would be appropriate legislations. - Clive Edwards

It was good to see the two Siones are playing in England. I hope the other guys who stayed on are making their way in the rugby world. -Alex.Mack

Candidates for Tonga'’s March 17 parliamentary election, with few exceptions, have one campaign theme, that we hear over and again: "Tonga must change its political system". Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

There is an urgent need for Tonga to take a decisive action in 2005 on how to move forward with its economic and political reform programs. Editor's comment by Pesi Fonua.

Generations from now, Tongans will repeat those sentiments, over and over again, as they commemorate 10 November 2004, as the date when HM King Taufaha'au Tupou IV, gave his people the ultimate gift - a role in the selection of some of his Cabinet Ministers, and thus acknowledging that they have an integral role to play in the democratic governance of the Kingdom of Tonga. By Lopeti Senituli

I have noted the public outcry over the recent increase in the price of electricity and thought you might consider the following. In my opinion, considering the substantial forces arraigned against the non-oil producing countries by major global financial forces, any claims by certain unethical political candidates to provide, at a stroke, a panacea for the burden of high power costs are false. -Tupouto'a