More Beer For Some Solomon Islanders

The deliberations that took place in the Solomons last year over tive drinking laws have resulted in what is officially described as a ight measure of relaxation”.

The revisions will come into effect on May 5, in the form of Liquor emption Permits, the most important effect of which will be to allow •mit-holders to drink beer on licenced premises, as well as purchase mited amount for home consumption, which was not permitted under ; old system. (Once having purchased his limit of 12 large bottles beer per month, the permit holder had previously to take the grog ne before he could drink it.) Another modification is that the permit •s not now have to be renewed annually. Once issued it is permanent inless the holder does something serious enough to have it revoked.

The new policy also applies to Fijians, Gilbertese, Ellice Islanders i New Hebrideans living in the Protectorate—although all Fijians home have unrestricted right to drink beer as and when they like.

Initially the new type of permit will be restricted to Islanders ding an old one. The authorities will be watching to see the result allowing these people to drink on licensed premises, and upon this I depend any subsequent increase in the number of holders.

Papua-New Guinea natives are now the only ones on whom there i blanket ban against drink of any kind. Some Pacific Territories — h as Fiji, Netherlands New Guinea and New Caledonia —allow the ives to drink beer freely, most of the others follow a permit system some sort, although in some places it is very restricted