Four cars torched as Tonga protests increase

Four cars were torched in Tonga yesterday and threats of arson were made against Government buildings as tensions erupted over a civil servants' strike.

The Government-owned vehicles were set alight just hours after students threatened to burn Government buildings if authorities did not move to settle the strike.

Buildings in the centre of the capital, Nuku'alofa, were scorched by the heat of the inferno.

"The civil workers are very strong in their resolve," said Clive Edwards, legal adviser for the civil servants and a former Tongan Police Minister. "They're not going back unless there's a settlement on their terms.

"If the standoff continues it's going to cause violence. People will get more angry and feel desperate about being replaced."

Speaking from Nuku'alofa, Mr Edwards said the atmosphere had since calmed.

"These incidents [of violence] were not known to the civil service committee, but we have tremendous public support and a lot of people in this country are annoyed with this Government."

Lawyer Nalesoni Tupou, who practises in Auckland and Tonga, has received several calls from concerned Tongans living in Auckland.

They are considering putting pressure on the New Zealand Government and are planning a meeting in Otara tonight to discuss ways they can support loved ones in Tonga.

Mr Tupou said he feared things would only get worse in the next few days as there had been no resolution and the country was now unstable.

"Violence has occurred within the last 24 hours. I think the next step is people versus people."

Tonga's King and Crown Prince are in Auckland to celebrate an engagement.

Mr Tupou said this had added to the frustrations of the Tongan people.

"It's seen as a sign of how they care for the grievances of the people. I hope they ... return to Tonga as soon as possible. If the King does not speak to his people this will escalate."

Mr Edwards said the civil servants wanted arbitration over pay rates and a guarantee they would keep their jobs and not be replaced.

The strike may expand to a campaign for democratic reform, with large crowds gathering every day in the capital in support of the strikers.

- additional reporting NZPA