Samoa To Remain
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
‘Dry’
Special Visitors May Drink
A LENGTHY debate on proposals for the future control of liquor in Western Samoa, made by a recent NZ Commission, ended in Apia in mid-October. The Legis lative Assembly finally approved an amendment, by 12 votes to 7, that the proposed Liquor Board be per mitted to grant special liquor allocations, at its discretion.
In introducing the amendment— it had earlier been decided by a majority of members that no liquor would be made available to visitors or for special occasions—the Hon.
G. F. D. Betham asked only that such liquor be made available to local residents for special occasions and to “distinguished visitors like the UNO Mission, Dr. Beeby and others.”
The final recommendations to NZ are, in summary: (i) The establishment of a Liquor Authority of 4 Samoans (Commis sion recommended 2), 1 European, and 1 part-European, presided over by a Chairman with a legal back ground and outside local politics if possible. (ii) Legislation to give the Authority powers to grant and con trol permits. (iii) Court control of permits under certain circumstances. (iv) Government to retain con trol of import and sale of liquor. (v) No transfer of permits ex cept to a club, for the permit holder’s own use at the club. (vi) No permits to hotels or clubs for the use of visitors. (This had been recommended by the Commis sion but was rejected by a majority). (vii) The Board to have power to grant special permits at its dis cretion. (The debate made it clear that, in practice, this power is not likely to be freely exercised).
The outlook for other than “dis tinguished visitors, UNO officials, and Dr. Beeby,” therefore looks par ticularly dry, and hopes of a larger tourist trade of the dollar type for Western Samoa can be written off.
There may be sufficient non drinkers to build up a special tourist traffic—but so far they have not been sighted south of the Mason- Dixon Line.
The Education Department of Eastern Samoa recently took over the local, low-powered radio broad casting station WVUV at Pago Pago and will soon use it for educational broadcasts. About 200 English, Bush radio receivers are on order for issue to schools and villages.
WVUV has not had much use since the Navy’s departure. It has a power of only 50 watts and is barely audible at Apia, W. Samoa.