Sidelight on Fiji’s

Liquor Problem

Suva, Aug. 23.

117HILE Fiji’s Liquor Bill (proposing to T? remove all liquor restrictions from Indians but not from Fijians) is still suspended by way of a select com mittee of the Legislative Council, the Suva Magistrate’s Court has been pro viding more ammunition for the Bill’s opponents. „ August 20, a Fijian woman was fined £3 for illegally drinking liquor. On August 21 she was fined £5 for the same offence and a 17-year-old Fijian girl was fined £1 on a similar charge. In each case the liquor was supplied by Indians.

The patrol ships “Tiare” and “Lotus,” two of the 30 vessels ceded to France by the US Navy in 1944, are now on the way out from North Africa, where they have been refitted for (service In the Pacific. The “Lotus” will be attached to the Noumea station, and the “Tiare” to Papeete. Each has a crew of three officers and 28 men. and the “Lotus” is com

manded by Lieut, de Vernejoul. These ships are about 130 feet long with a dis placement of 325 tons, speed up to 12 knots and a range of 2,500 miles. They will be used for liaison survey and safety work, and administrative jobs. These and sister ships have done a great deal of valuable work since the liberation of Prance. Two were lost on minefields.