Lost Kingdom

10. Tonga’s workers call for a leader

It would be an exaggeration to say that the Seventies saw signs of rebellion in the kingdom. It was still largely isolated from the rest of the world and the royal family remained in near absolute power. But curious things were happening. Pacific Islands Monthly in February 1970 ran an article from a young Tongan journalist, Sio Magisi, who, for a time became a regular contributor. Commenting on the John Griffin piece:

‘I am neither an apostle of doom nor a stirrer of hostility, but these are some of the facts about Tonga which provoke the questions being asked by many of the more educated and younger people.  The face of Tonga, especially Nukualofa, has changed markedly over recent years and the place is not today exactly a dreamy Utopia where lovely people snail along the streets.’

A noble and family walk past a commoner. all wear ta’ovala. Photo Michael Field