For Hebrideans

Beer And Wine For Hebrideans

A SELECT Committee on drin ing submitted its report to t British and French Resident Coi missioners of the New Hebrid some months back. The same Re dent Commissioners in Decernl made a public announcement, lifti the blanket ban on drink for Nt Hebrideans which has been in foi until now.

As a preface to this annoum ment they said; “After considering the Report] the Committee which was set up advise on liquor policy and i views expressed in the debate I the Report at the Fourth Session Advisory Council in Decemb 1960, the Resident Commission have reached the conclusion that would be in the public interest to lax forthwith some of the exist; restrictions on the consumption alcohol by natives of the New H rides and that it should be decla an aim of policy to remove them tirely in due course.”

Under the new regulations b Hebrideans of either sex, over age of 21, will be allowed to j chase beer or wine from off-lice premises for consumption at hoi to consume beer or wine at pu functions where alcohol is sen and to consume beer or wine \ meals in licensed restaurants.

New Hebrideans will not be ] mitted to buy or consume liquoi bars or hotels; selling liquor to ready intoxicated persons, whate their race, will be severely frow upon; brewing or distilling alee is prohibited; and cases of pu drunkenness will be “prosecuted i vigour”.

The statement by the two F was sent us by a resident of 1 who adds a note to say that new regulations differ from what Select Committee recommended several vital ways. The Commi recommended that only New F ridean males over 25 should allowed to drink and that their ] chases for home consumption limited to 12 bottles per month. [We presume our correspond means 12 bottles of beer or equivalent amount of alcohol wine.] It was recommended by Committee that natives should d in bars —where better control j liquor consumption can be kept; that driving under the influt should be regarded as a particul serious offence.