i 2 8o AUSTRALASIA ILLUSTRATED. 



During the year iSS; the total value of the import and export trade of Tonga to 

 and from other countries was five hundred and three thousand and four dollars. The 

 principal foreign ' importers and exporters, according to nationality, were British and 

 German, the former being -represented by a sum of one hundred ami forty-one thousand 

 six hundred and eighty-four dollars, and the latter by three hundred and forty-three 

 thousand and twenty-seven dollars. France was the next highest, with a value of one 

 thousand eight hundred and sixty-five dollars. The total customs revenue for the year 

 was twenty thousand seven hundred and seventy-four dollars. The total value of the 

 exports for the same year was two hundred and fifty-three thousand four hundred and 

 thirty-one dollars. This amount was made up as follows : produce of Tonga, one 

 hundred and fifty-seven thousand four hundred and forty-nine dollars ; produce imported 

 for exportation, ninety thousand nine hundred and ninety-three dollars ; and general 

 exports manufactures of other countries four thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine 

 dollars. The principal exports, the produce of Tonga, were : copra, two thousand six 

 hundred and forty-nine tons ; wool, thirty thousand pounds ; kava, nineteen thousand one 

 hundred and forty pounds ; cotton, eleven thousand seven hundred and ninety pounds ; 

 fruit (green), three hundred and ninety-five cases ; bananas, eight thousand one hundred 

 and four bunches ; oranges, four hundred and three thousand ; fungus, eleven thousand 

 and forty-nine pounds ; and forty-one horses. 



The climate of Tonga is very cool and pleasant during the winter months ; and 

 there is little doubt that as the Group becomes better known it will be a favourite 

 resort for invalids and others who ' may wish to escape from the cold or damp climate 

 of the colonies during the currency of the winter season. 



During the past few years some great changes have been made in the Government 

 of Tonga, and affairs are entirely altered. Up to July, 1890, the Hon. S. W. Baker was 

 Premier, and also united in his own person most of the important offices of the 

 Government, and thus possessed what was practically unlimited power. Many complaints 

 were made from time to time against Mr. Baker for the alleged arbitrary use which he 

 nade of the great influence which he possessed over the mind of the King. He was 

 accused of being primarily responsible for the persecutions which were inflicted upon 

 those Tongans who remained faithful to the Wesleyan Church ; for the banishment of 

 many others to Fiji and Tofua for the same reason ; for violating the Constitution 

 which provides liberty of conscience and freedom of worship ; and for many other 

 actions which were oppressive to the chiefs and people of Tonga. These complaints 

 were previously examined and reported upon by Sir Charles B. Mitchell, previous High 

 Commissioner for the Western Pacific, assisted by the Chief Judicial Commissioner. 

 Evidence was then given, which, in the opinion of the High Commissioner, would have 

 justified him in prohibiting Mr. Baker, as a British subject, from residing within certain 

 prescribed limits, as being dangerous to peace and good order therein. This power, how- 

 ever, the High Commissioner declined to exercise, having received from the King a 

 letter containing certain promises and propositions which he deemed to be satisfactory. 



On the visit of his Excellency, Sir J. B. Thurston, the High Commissioner for 

 the Western Pacific, to Tonga in June, 1890, these and many other complaints were 

 formally brought before him by some of the highest chiefs, including members of the 



