Tongan King Public Trough Again-as per SOP

hardnosethehighway22:24 UTC23 Jun 2010

ALOOF TONGAN KING GETS 200 PERCENT RAISE
Country struggles with poverty, depressed economy

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – The King of Tonga, George Tupou V, is set to receive nearly 200 percent more from the state in the coming financial year.

According to the new budget, he is to be given just over half a million US dollars annually, with about US$600,000 set aside each year for overseas travel.

This comes as the country battles back from two years of economic contraction which has led to cuts in a number of services.

Our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu, says while reverence for the monarch is embedded in Tongan culture, that is beginning to wear thin, with King George Tupou’s lack of involvement in issues which are important to the people.

"Say for example the Ashika Commission and the deaths of 74 people, the King had nothing to say about that during his opening speech at Parliament, so it’s not going to go down too well with the people that he’s getting a substantial increase in his salary. It does not appear to be connected to the daily issues that affect them."

pago19:59 UTC25 Jun 2010

So what's the big deal.....the guy has to eat doesn't he?

hardnosethehighway22:37 UTC25 Jun 2010

He eats 1.1 million US a year-that is personal income.

Anyway the ass covering has started

Tongan King @ Public Trough Again-as per SOP Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
hardnosethehighway22:24 UTC23 Jun 2010	Sad to say no one is surprised ALOOF TONGAN KING GETS 200 PERCENT RAISE Country struggles with poverty, depressed economy WELLINGTON, New Zealand – The King of Tonga, George Tupou V, is set to receive nearly 200 percent more from the state in the coming financial year. According to the new budget, he is to be given just over half a million US dollars annually, with about US$600,000 set aside each year for overseas travel. This comes as the country battles back from two years of economic contraction which has led to cuts in a number of services. Our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu, says while reverence for the monarch is embedded in Tongan culture, that is beginning to wear thin, with King George Tupou’s lack of involvement in issues which are important to the people. "Say for example the Ashika Commission and the deaths of 74 people, the King had nothing to say about that during his opening speech at Parliament, so it’s not going to go down too well with the people that he’s getting a substantial increase in his salary. It does not appear to be connected to the daily issues that affect them."
pago19:59 UTC25 Jun 2010	So what's the big deal.....the guy has to eat doesn't he?	1
hardnosethehighway22:37 UTC25 Jun 2010	He eats 1.1 million US a year-that is personal income. Anyway the ass covering has started	2

Tongan King @ Public Trough Again-as per SOP