Archaic Liquor

Law

Move for Reform in Samoa

Prom Our Own Correspondent I APIA, Sept. 1.

T would appear that, at long last, the archaic and ridiculous liquor law of Western Samoa is to be amended.

Under present conditions, no European can purchase liquor (wdiich the Govern ment sells) without a medical order; and the order severely restricts the quantity that may be bought. Consequents, every one applies for his liquor ration; and

ihose who do not want liquor sell their rations to those who do. Natives may not purchase European liquors—and, conse quently, brew their own.

At the meeting of the Legislative Coun cil in August, Dr. Dawson moved; “That the system for the granting of permits for and the service of liquor to approved persons be revised so as to pro vide a service more compatible with the local conditions now existing.”

Dr. Dawson said that the present per mit system was first introduced by the late Sir James Allen (then Minister of External Affairs in the New Zealand Cabinet) during his visit to the Islands.

Apparently, he had been influenced by conditions in other islands—especially in the outlying Cook Islands where, on his arrival, he had been received by two European residents who were intoxicated.

Dr. Dawson said the use of alcohol is not to be condemned, but the abuse of it.

At present, anyone wanting liquor had to go to the Chief Medical Otficer for a cer tificate ihat he should receive liquor for medicinal purposes. It was a waste of time for the C.M.O. to issue a great number of permits, most of which were not used for medicinal purposes. In fact, it went very much against a doctor’s grain to issue such permits.

Dr. Dawson suggested that a committee of the Council should go fully into the matter and report, and he proposed, as members of the Committee, the Collector of Customs, the Chief Medical Officer and the Crown Solicitor.

The Acting Administrator suggested that an unofficial member should sit on the Committee.

The Hon. Namulau’ulu, Samoan mem ber. seconded the motion, and declared that a revision of the permit system was long overdue. Prohibition encouraged the manufacture of substitutes, and the Samoans had learned to make and drink a “home-brew” known as “faamafu”. This evil is now irreparable.

Realising the harm the prohibition of European liquors had done to the Samoans, he continued, the Samoan people themselves had asked the Govern ment repeatedly to bring about reform, so that their own people might be saved from the faamafu evil.

The Samoan member said that a bottle of whisky, dispensed by the Administra tion at 13/6, gave the Administration 200 per cent, profit, including duty, while the retailed price of beer allowed of at least 100 per cent, profit.

If liquid refreshments were made avail able for tourists and visitors, in a law ful way, he said, tourist ships like the “Maunganui” would leave more money in Apia, and the Treasury would benefit handsomely thereby. A revision of the pro hibition policy could do no possible harm to Europeans or Samoans.

The motion was carried unanimously.