UNREST IN TONGA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3317, 8 September 1911, Page 5

UNREST IN TONGA.

ACTION AGAINST BRITISH

CONSUL.

NATIVES IN DISTURBED STATE

t,P?”- *’BESB ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, Sept. 7. The High Commissioner’s Court of the AVestorn Pacific was occupied for six days at Tonga with an action on behalf of four thousand members of the Native Co-operative Association against the British Consul and two Government offWals. The- Court found there was nothing to prove that the Consul was the prime mover in the seizure of the association’s business. It dismissed the charges against him and dismissed the charge against the other defendants, Roberts and Humphreys, on the ground that they acted under Government authority, and no action could be maintained against them.. Plaintiffs gave notice of appeal, which will he heard at Fiji. It is stated, that the decision caused serious disquietude among the natives and only the presence of British warships prevented a serious disturbance. Trustees of the .association applied to the Chief Justice to declare the ordinance to restrain and control the native company illegal. He upheld their contention.. The result was a requisition to the King to dismiss the Chief Justice, but the King declined. Cabinet met and. discussed the question of dismissal, but divided on the subject and the meeting ended in a deadlock. Later, Roberts and the Assistant Premier were dismissed from office.