Charge Of Alcoholic Excess
p. 37 · Read in the full issue
In Tonga
From Our Own Correspondent
Nukualofa, Dec. 10.
A SAVAGE assault is reported from Haapai. A native split another native’s head, by smashing with a beer bottle, and it is doubtful whether he will live. It is another crime arising from alcoholic excess, now so prevalent here.
The law prohibiting the Tongans from alcohol without permits, and the law prohibiting firms (with liquor licenses) selling liquor indiscriminately, are being violated right and left. It is done so openly that police now join in the drink ing.
If the Tongan authorities think that their people should be allowed to drink freely why then allow such laws to re main and be made ridiculous?
Some of us believe there is too much drinking among the Europeans here—it is bad for their health and it is a very bad example to the Tongan race. Our famous annual club dance the other night was marred because the crack Tongan Jazz Band turned up almost all more or less intoxicated.
A bill to authorise payment of £1,500,000 for Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) phosphate was passed in the New Zealand Parliament in early Decem ber. The NZ Government is also thereby empowered to make an agreement with Australia to set up a commission to work the phosphate.