Bsip Now Has

Beer For All

The BSIP’s new liquor laws vere passed by the Legislative Council at a session which ended i n December 18. Melanesians vill be able to commence drink ng as much beer as they want m a date yet to be fixed by the Ugh Commissioner.

EiE new liquor legislation was passed with one or two minor mdments. Under the new regula is all Melanesians over 21 years age will be able to drink beer, but sumption of spirits will continue be illegal except for a very small nber who are able to obtain a :ial permit.

Tie Bishop of Melanesia, Right '. A. T. Hill, who is a member the Council, missed the first two Jings of the Liquor Bill as he ; ill in hospital. Mr. C. Reece, ther member, attempted to delay second reading of the bill until aop Hill was able to attend the mcil and deliver his views on this iortant matter, but could not find icient support to delay the passage he Bill and it was ushered through i little comment.

Cigarettes Cost Even More he Bill had received widespread ilicity and comment before it came are Council, and by the time it i passed, most people showed little rest in it. t was altogether a fairly mild i weeks’ session. The Financial retary, Mr. A. M. Wilkie, de red the Government’s Budget for

1962, which contained the usual blow against cigarette smokers. Import duty on all cigarettes and tobaccos was increased by approximately 50 per cent, which means that a large packet of cigarettes now retails at 3/-, which is a retail increase of 6d.

The Government relaxed import duties on certain foodstuffs, and ex pects to lose revenue of £7,000 per annum on this. (However, it expects to collect another £30,000 per annum from its increase on cigarettes and tobacco duties.) The Government has budgeted for expenditure totalling £1,904,505 for 1962. Of this, £875,420 is expected

from direct and indirect taxation and sundry revenue. The remaining £1,029,085, will be provided from Grants-in-Aid, Overseas Service Aid Scheme Grants, Colonial Develop ment and Welfare Grants and trans fers from Special Funds.

Dr. A. L. Anderson, who is to re place Dr. Knox Jamieson as Medical Superintendent at the Paton Memorial Hospital, New Hebrides, arrived in Vila by air from Sydney on De cember 22. Dr. Andersin has served in the Cemeroons, and in the Aus tralian Flying Doctor service.

Rev. Eran T. Voivoi, a New Guinea Native [?]ster, who was recently ordained by the Wesley Lutton at the Methodist Church, Rabaul.—Photo: C. H. Meen.