Fijis Open-Go Beer Legislation

Some Still Unconvinced, but

Passed

From February 1 it will be legal for Fijians and Indians to drink beer without a permit. The bill, covering amendments to liquor ordinances, has been on the stocks for a couple of years and was finally pushed through the Fiji Legislative Council after a two days’ debate in early December.

THE official members who voted for the amendments in a solid block, apparently based their views on a statement by the At torney-General, A. M. Greenwood, who must be credited with 1957’s most peculiar utterance by an official. • Mr. Greenwood, in replying to arguments that over-indulgence in liquor would lead to abuse, asked:

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It was certain from the start that the bill would go through—the Gov ernment official majority would have seen to that. The final voting was 22 to six, an overwhelming majority on the face of it.

An analysis of the voting shows that there was an almost even division among the unofficial mem bers. Eight unofficial members voted in favour of the amendments which do away with the permit system; and six against.

The six “antis“ were made up of four elected members and two nom inated members. The four probably represented about 80 per cent, of the voting strength of the Colony—Mr.

Maurice Scott, European Member foi the North-Western Division; Mr. Vishnu Deo, Indian Member for the Southern Division; Mr. J.

Madhavan, Indian Member for the Eastern Division; and Mr. Adjodha Prasad, Indian Member for the Western Division.

The other two “antis” were the Rev. D. I. Telfer, temporarily re placing the Rev. S. G. Cowled as a European Member; and Dr. A. H.

Sahu Khan, an Indian nominated Member.

The two elected “fors” were Messrs.

J. N. Falvey, European Southern Division, and H. B. Gibson, Euro pean, Eastern Division, each of whom represents only a handful of voters.

The five Fijian members voted solidly in favour of the new measure, although Semesa Sikivou wavered because he was not happy about one clause. Semesa, a schoolmaster, thought that this clause would allow children to go to school in a drunken state, and the masters would be able to do nothing about it.

The five Fijians, four of them chiefs, also represent a big propor tion of the population, so on an overall estimate opinion was divided.

One of the most amusing features of the debate, which was generally of a high standard, was to see a succession of official members rise to their feet and speak in favour of the measure. It could have been that they were coached beforehand.

Two official members said outside

the House that had they been givei a free hand they would have vote< against the measure. Others probabl; would also have done so.

It was scarcely democracy at work but then Fiji is not democratic rather a benevolent autocracy.

Mr. W, G. Johnson did not spea] on the bill and abstained from vot ing. He made it clear at the out set that because of his interest ii the liquor trade (as managini director of W. R. Carpenter and Cc (Fiji) Ltd. and Carlton Brewer; (Fiji) Ltd.) that he would be noth ing more than a spectator.

Generally, the debate was of i high standard. Easily the be s speaker, who had all his argument logically marshalled (although on did not have to agree with him), wa the Rev. D. I. Telfer.

Another who spoke well was Di Sahu Khan, although he appeal© more to the emotions than to logif Dr. P. W. Dill-Russell, Director o Medical Services, was easily the bes speaker on the official side. Hi logic was as sound as that of Mi Telfer, but his delivery was not a good.

Two Government speakers wH were not impressive were th Financial Secretary, Mr. H.

Davidson, who piloted the 'oil through: and the Attorney-Genera Mr. A. M. Greenwood. Neither J a convincing speaker. Some of th analogies quoted by Mr. Greenwod were ludicrous to say the least-] although he was probably beinj facetious.

Now Fiji awaits for February 1 J see what happens. Perhaps th Fijian can be educated to becorn a sensible drinker, but the old hand shake their heads.