[?]quor Reform

[?]Er To Nz

[?]ooks Skirt Around [?]quor Reform

EW Zealand’s territories, alone amongst those of the South Pacific, are thinking twice iut liberalising their liquor laws, uor in Cook Islands, W. Samoa 1 Niue is obtainable “for medicinal ■poses only”—one of the great ses of the age. n the Cook Islands, where fines bush-beer brewing and drinking vide a steady revenue, the matter le up again at the recent meet of the Legislative Council, when elect committee which has been up, submitted its report on a posed licensed hotel for Raro ga. he main points of the report e as follows; A section of the Cook Islands’ , 1915, makes unnecessary racial

discrimination. Its existence causes many people to break the law, in nocently and otherwise. • Permits to purchase and con sume should not be issued under the guise of a medical prescription. • All persons of mature age who are of sound mind and body should have the right to purchase and con sume intoxicating liquor.

The committee recommended that amended legislation should provide for the following:— • The abolition of the present prohibition laws which apply to part of the population only, and their replacement with laws granting the right to purchase and consume alcoholic liquors to all persons aged 21, regardless of race. (Over)

Mobile Medical Unit

his mobile medical unit (a four-wheel e International) is to be used by the ation Army among natives in the antu area of New Guinea soon, ation Army Commissioner, Frederick Its, standing with his wife, takes very in Melbourne, as Col. H G. lace, the Army's Chief Secretary, stands

> The establishment of a Licenc : Authority to issue and control mces to individuals, companies, bs, etc., granting right of im 'tation, selling, or dispensing for isumption, intoxicating liquors Droved by the Authority. > The establishment on each md of a Local Liquor Committee effect control of licences, ndards and conduct. > The establishment of an hotel, guest house, with adequate liquor ilities for sale and consumption, i amenities as prescribed by the encing Authority.

• Severer penalties for unlicenced liquor manufacturing and selling. • Adequate legal means tor deal ing with drunkenness. • That it be made legal for parents to offer mildly intoxicating table wines and beers to children or guests under 21 years of age. • That the Legislative Assembly be empowered to impose customs or excise duties upon intoxicating liquors, the revenue thus obtained to be placed at the disposal of the Legislative Assembly, or in the local revenue account.

SEVERAL of these recommenda tions proved acceptable to Council, but others were con troversial. It was agreed that the issuing of liquor permits should be the responsibility of either the police or a civic committee appointed for that purpose, and that control of importation and sale of liquor should remain with the Administration.

The motion that the sale of liquor in the Cooks be investigated by a NZ Commission of Inquiry was carried.

Samoa Radio

Hams

Two enthusiastic radio Hams of Ameri can Samoa are shown here. At left Dr.

Kellen, of Pago Pago, with his outfit —and some of the cards he has received from other Hams. And right, Mrs.

Evelyn Scott who was granted a Ham licence while in American Samoa. She has been a Ham for 36 years and has operated from Australia and New Zealand as well as from California where she has her permanent home. Photo: Pan American Prints.