Fiji’S Racial-Liquor

Problem

Governor Again Seeks A Solution

Suva, May 8.

FIJI’S liquor problem, which in 1947 and again in 1949 stirred up the bitterest inter-racial political strife on record, has come up again with a possible solution laid before the Fijian Council of Chiefs by the Governor (Sir Ronald Garvey), This plan, which long has been quietly backed by a minority of European and Indian “moderates,” embodies a simplified control system involving liquor permits for all races alike.

Other than total prohibition— which has little support from even the strongest opponents of alcohol —this seems to be the only way out. It would at least get over the hurdle of “racial discrimination” for the benefit of Europeans—the point which has driven some Indian politicians to extremities of vehem ence.

The Governor said: “It appears to me, after studying the opinions held by many different interests, that liquor-drinking must continue to be controlled: and I am strengthened in my support for its control by the numerous instances brought to my notice of the abuse of liquor by most sections of the population in the Colony. I am informed, on reliable authority, that anyone who wishes may now obtain liquor in quantity by one illegal means or another.

"This not only brings the law into disrepute, but it engenders a wrong attitude of mind to breaches of it. . .

"To my mind, it is clearly neces sary that the present irregularities of the liquor law be evened out, and it may be necessary, under a revised law, to consider a compro mise under which the permit system is applicable to all on a basis similar to that long used in licens ing persons to drive motor vehicles.”

Sir Ronald recalled that at the 1952 meeting of the Council of Chiefs, the Council recommended that “the principle of issuing per mits for Fijians to drink alcoholic liquor should be retained and that the Fijian Affairs Board should lay down conditions for the issue of permits.” (The Legislative Council brawl in 1947—before the term of the pre sent Governor—was touched off by a Government proposal to release all Indians from all liquor restric tions while retaining full restric tions on Fijians. The Government called this “establishing racial equality while protecting the Fijians”; but the European and Fijian members, with one European

exception, and with a single Indian supporter, put up such a barrage of opposition that the question went to a select committee. In 1949 the select committee reported that it could get nowhere: and there the matter has rested ever since).

If Rabaul recently received a visit from Mr. P. Bierstein, of UNO, who is stationed in Manila, but who has been travelling for the past months throughout New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea, making a survey of sanitary conditions in these countries. He left Rabaul later en route for Hollandia, where he will continue his survey if time permits, before embarking for Manila.