sly Grog and Black

Markets N.Calcdonian Governor Takes Action

From Our Own Correspondent t-v 11 It vine NOUMEA, Dec. 11.

T T has announced by Governor uaigret that a conference was held last month, with a view to putting an end to the sly grog traffic, which has assumed alarming proportions during the past 18 months Those who took part in the conference have asked the Court to apply the maximum penalty to offend ers. New measures of suppression will " in a SSa announcement, the Gov the^n^a^^nnfr’Whll^ n i. 0f th £ Pw liC ffi° that Hp S 2 f tra ® c v e P° lnts out that this traffic is greatly to the prejudice of hon

est traders and is likely to cause shorta £ e of supplies to the civil population.

“The Administration,” said M. Laigret “knows certain of these traffickers and possesses letters that they have impru dently written. When all the necessary proofs have been collected, severe mea sures will be taken. It should not be forgotten that the Allied Governments know the exact price of all primary materials at the time of their arrival and it is easy to keep track of the price at which goods are sold. I wish the general public to be informed as to the situa tion, and demand that everyone collabo rate to suppress black markets so that civilian supplies shall not suffer” a 1“^ can soldie ? s ’ t 0 15 da ys’ imprisonment ar £ a t? ne of 22 ' 000 francs (about £150) —the heaviest fine yet imposed in the Colony.