Harried Rabaul
p. 28 · Read in the full issue
Officials Impose New Liquor Restrictions.
To the Editor.
Sir, —Like a bolt from the blue, some most unwelcome and unnecessary leg islation, in the form of “the Liquor Or dinance —1931,” has been imposed upon the unsuspecting community of Rabaul in a manner which many of us regard as quite contrary to the accepted tra ditions of British justice.
The law, as the Britisher knows it, is made by the voice of the majority, for the benefit of the community in general—always having due regard to personal liberty and the necessity for such law. Even where there is repre sentative government, such matters as liquor restrictions, and other legislation which might not be welcomed, are never forced upon the community with out first obtaining the views of such community, usually by referendum.
In this Territory, however, we have restrictions imposed upon our actions, without any reference to the feelings of the general public.
The new Liquor Ordinance does not differ greatly from the old one. But its rigid enforcement has seriously inter fered with the social life of the Terri tory, and there is no beneficial result.
From personal observation of the stocking of private cupboards, one can say that the result will not be as is apparently desired and, quite apart from the general depression, it will be most interesting, in due course, to ob serve whether the rigid enforcement of this Ordinance will disclose a decrease in our liquor importations.
Any student of psychology will real ise that the temptation to evade these unfair restrictions will have a demoral ising effect upon the community.
No objections have ever been offered
against the closing hours of hotels: but, in these parts, it has been part of our lives to enjoy ourselves to the full at certain established functions each year and, the world over, membership of clubs carries full privileges at all times.
Whilst ships are in port, it has been almost a tradition to have a last “spot” with departing friends: whilst, at many outports, the only “cold ones” are ob tainable on board.
These things are now being denied us. By whom, and for what reason?
Conditions ruling in this Territory cannot be compared with the conditions in Australia. They should be consid ered with those of other similar tropi cal places, such as the F.M, States, where the hotel or club bar remains always open.
If it is considered necessary, let the Ordinance stand. But why enforce it so rigidly in a small community like this?
With adequate representation on the long-talked-of Legislative Council, we would not be wondering what was com ing next in the deprivation of our per sonal liberties and privileges.
I am, etc.,