The limits of advice : Britain and the Kingdom of Tonga

Abstract

Despite the endeavours of Kings Tupou I and II to maintain Tonga's independence, Britain established a Protectorate over the Kingdom in May 1900. By this action the British Government hoped to exclude other powers from Tonga, whilst keeping its own commitment to a m1n1mum. Tonga aroused little interest in British eyes apart from its potential as a base for rival Pacific powers. Although it was not intended that the British Agent and Consul ·appointed to Tonga should intervene in the Kingdom's internal affairs other than by giving advice when asked, a succession of British officials were not content with the role of observer, and sought Colonial Office backing to force the recalcitrant Tupou II to heed their advice. In 1~05 the King was obliged, on threat of deportation, to accept the intervention of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and to agree to take the Consul's advice on internal as well as external affairs. For the next six years the Consul, supported by a Cabinet of British nominees, vied with the King for control of the Government. In 1911, after the Consul had insisted once too often that his advice be taken in opposition to the decision of the Tongan Privy Council, Tupou II launched an effective protest against British intervention. The Colonial Office, which had never intended the authority of the Tongans to be removed under the Protectorate, did not support the actions of its Consul and restored to the King much of the autonomy that had been taken away in 1905. Throughout the rest of the reign of Tupou II and during the reign of his daughter, Queen Salote, the British Consul continued to advise the Government by mutual agreement rather than by force. The Conaul came to be a source of support to the Government and the monar~hy, rather than a thre .. t, and for at least three decades his advice was an important facet of the administration. After the Second World War, and particularly with the rise to prominence of the Queen's son and heir, Tungi (later King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV), the British Consul moved further and further from the centre of power. The changes in his relationship with the Tongan Government were embodied in a revision of the Treaty of Friendship in 1958 and again in 1968. With an exchange of notes in 1970, Tonga regained control of its external affairs and 're-entered the comity of nations'. Show more