Liquor is Legal (Not Medicinal)

In The Cook Islands Now

From W. H. Percival, in Rarotonga It’s easier to drink now in the Cook Islands, and for many people that means it’s easier to remain within the law.

An ordinance liberalising the drinking laws came into force in March.

rHE ordinance sweeps away racial discrimination in drinking, ibolishes the practice of issuing liquor »ermits, and makes good class im >orted liquor available to all adult 'ook Islanders.

Beer and wine may now be bought iy anybody over 21 without restric ion.

Previously only holders of liquor permits were allowed to buy beers, /ines and spirits.

The permits were issued “for medicinal purposes only” and at the liscretion of the Chief Medical )fficer.

Almost any adult who applied ould obtain a liquor permit, but a ection of the Cook Islands Act of 915, made it an offence for a Euro pean to offer alcoholic drinks to a 'ook Islands Maori.

However, the law had been ignored or many years, and both races drank Icoholic beverages together at official parties and others. All Europeans dio entertained were compelled to reak the law under the simple rules f hospitality.

Besides cancelling this creaking old iw, the new ordinance confirms the stablishment of an authority to con ■ol the sale and consumption of in dicating liquor.

This authority is vested in the executive Committee (the “shadow labinet”) of the Cook Islands Gov rnment, which besides lifting con ■ols on beer and wine has further ased the drinking laws by allow »g: • Every Cook Islands resident ver 21 and every visitor with an atry permit to buy two bottles of airits a month. (This is obviously ) help them with their entertain ig). • Crew members of visiting sssels and aircraft to buy one bottle f spirits per visit.

In addition, “special permits” will z issued by the Chief of Police in arotonga, and by the Resident gents and Clerks in Charge of the Liter islands, at their discretion.

Under the old system, a permit

holder was rationed to two bottles of spirits a month, or the equivalent in beer and and wines. A married man was entitled to a double ration —his and his wife’s, even if she were a teetotaller.

If extra liquor was required for

entertaining, one could apply for a “special permit”, which was always readily granted.

When the new law came into force, there was no mad rush to buy up all the liquor in sight and no upsurge in convictions for drunkenness.

But some Cook Islanders immedi ately bought small quantities of beer from the Government bond store to test its strength and taste.

Most of Rarotonga’s Cook Islanders, although they seem more prosperous now than they were a decade ago, may still find the prices of imported beers, wines and spirits beyond them.

Incidentally, Rarotonga’s only hotel remains unlicensed, but whether it will always remain so is anybody’s guess.