P-Ng Legco Meets
p. 151 · Read in the full issue
Following startling allega tions of drinking amongst New Britain natives (3,500 gallons of methylated spirits in six months and 95 per cent, of Australian whisky imported, according to Father J. Dwyer, MLC) made in the Papua-New Guinea Legisla tive Council at its early June sitting, methylated spirit was declared a restricted import.
It will be imported only under licence and sold under the poisons and dangerous substances ordinance.
Early in the June meeting, official member J. K. Mc- Carthy, told the Council that the contentious Native Em ployment Regulation Bill, over which members spent much time and many words in March, would not be pro ceeded with; but some clauses from it would be incorporated as amendments in the Native Employment Bill. As a result of this change of heart, natives will not have to carry identity cards as was pro posed ; accommodation re quirements for native workers will not be so rigid; and to bacco is back on the com pulsory issue list. Some con trol oyer casual employment is “still considered to be in the best interests of native
society”, however.