Prohibition?

Is West Samoa

Heading For

From R. F. Rankin, in Apia A lot of people in Apia are orried by the news that a bill aimed t complete prohibition of liquor under consideration by Prime (mister Mataafa as Minister of olice.

The obvious repercussions of such bill would be loss of government svenue, a damaging effect on the jurist industry, stimulation of home rewing.

Liquor does not pose much of roblem to village people, but it is >nceivable that despite their own rediliction for a daily spot, members P parliament could be swayed by ressures of religion and tradition > make the bill law.

Police are appalled at the prospect id envisage having to almost double le force to control the inevitable >me brewing and “sly-grogging” tat would ensue. But they agree that is time something was done about ie archaic liquor laws that are now pored by all.

As far as can be made out the imoa Act of 1921 still applies, nder this anyone manufacturing, nporting or selling liquor is liable > a fine of £2OO or one year’s aprisonment. Liquor is supposed to i completely prohibited for imoans. In practice, however, liquor freely available to the public in jmerous clubs scattered throughout ie country.

Word of the proposed bill caused lot of public indignation. Latest love by the Prime Minister has been > invite the heads of missions to a scussion on the subject.

Meanwhile, there is some dis ipointment in Apia that the Prime linister returned from his trip to ipan with nothing more than a gift f $5,000 for hurricane relief. Most jople expected the party to return ith promises of substantial financial id technical aid for development, at the Prime Minister insisted that ie trip had been purely one of lodwill aimed at paving the way for oser relationships in the future.

He said that a delegation would > to Japan before the end of the jar specifically seeking aid, but top fficials in Apia are not optimistic lout the chances of the delegation.