Carlton United, Melbourne, Joins

The New Brewery In Fiji

Carpenters In Enterprise

It has been announced that the new brewery now being built in Suva, Fiji, will be the joint enterprise of Messrs. W. R.

Carpenter & Co. (Fiji) Ltd. and Carlton United Breweries Ltd., of Melbourne.

THE idea of a brewery for Fiji came originally from Carpenter interests, and the launching of the enterprise last year was assumed to be entirely a Carpenter concern. However, the big Aus tralian brewery company apparently came into the picture in recent months.

It is argued that the partnership

(there will be only Carpenter and Carlton United in it) will be for the good of Fiji.

Both companies have limitless re sources; Carpent ers have the local knowledge and the Fiji organisation; Carlton United have the technical “k n o w-how”, so that a suitable brew is assured.

A brewery of modern design has been planned, and is now under con struction in Suva; and no expense will be spared in the equipment.

The brewery will commence opera tions early in 1958.

Question Of

Native

Drinking

Under Govern ment directions, a

formal inquiry into the conditions governing the drinking habits of all races in Fiji is now in progress.

Under to-day’s conditions, the members of some races must have an official permit to drink alcoholic liquor. Many observers think that the “Permit” system has had its day and that it must be superseded by something else, without any

In foreground—the beginnings of the new Suva brewery at Walu Bay.

Photo: Stinsons.

so that matter is more difficult for the Administration to handle.

One suggestion—now being con sidered by the Administration in P-NG—is that beer of a lesser alcoholic content be made available to natives there. But —such is human nature, no matter how primitive! beer becomes less desirable in the view of drinkers, as its alcoholic content decreases; until a point is reached when it is not wanted at all.