Kava

(Commonly Called "Native Grog")

MUCH has been said and written about the evil effects of kava drinking. Some of your correspon dents have admirably exposed the evils of the continual use of this drug. Per haps no better condemnation of grog drinking could have been written than the following, which is a free translation from the native.

This article, by the way, was the basis for a translation from Fijian into Eng lish, as set by the Education Department of Fiji for a Teacher’s Certificate (Grade IV) examination. The Government ad vice, as is evidenced by the candid sub ject matter of this examination, is as follows: — “There is one cause for the apparent laziness among us natives, in these days, and that is the excessive drinking of Fiji grog, which so weakens the spirits of some of us as to cause them to neglect planting or attending to any comforts for their wives or children. Our women also are guilty of excessive drinking of Fiji grog, the result being that they are unable to accomplish their usual duties.

“Our ancestors in olden times never

drank grog unrestrainedly. They drank only at chiefly festivals or communal gatherings, and they were strong men, and energetic at gardening and attend ing to things pertaining to their welfare, and food was abundant, their houses be ing well stocked.

“A matter of only a few years back there was little excess in grog-drinking by the natives, as Government regu lations enforced retirement in all villages at 11 p.m., and so any gatherings or drinking ceremonies ceased at that hour.

“A visit to almost any village in Fiji now reveals drinking bouts of grog all through the night, till daybreak. Neither the Government nor the churches (ex cepting perhaps one body) appear to concern themselves, or attempt to stop what is a growing menace to the health and prosperity of a wonderful people.”

“Dautalanoa.”