End Of Liquor Permits

"We'll drink to that . .

For Fiji Women

From SUE WENDT, in Suva Incredibly belated though such a move might seem to some other societies, the women of Fiji will now be relieved of the indignity of having to obtain permits before they may imbibe in public. A bill to amend the Liquor Ordinance was passed in the Legislative Council in January.

It dealt, among other things, with the matter of Fijian and Indian women requiring special permits in order to drink and buy liquor and despite the opposition of two Fijian leaders, Ratu Edward Cako bau (Minister for Labour) and Ratu George Cakobau (first Coun cil of Chiefs Member), most Leg- Co members felt the time was ripe for introducing equality in the matter.

However, legislation prohibiting women of all races from drinking or working in public bars of hotels still stands.

While it was pointed out that the liquor permit system had not been imposed as a form of racial discrim ination but rather as a form of pro tection in a changing society, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. A. D.

Patel, and the General Member, Eastern and Central, Mr. W. M.

Barrett, strongly supported its aboli tion, describing it as an insult to Fijian and Indian womanhood.

The Chief Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, said he felt the women of Fiji were quite capable of looking after themselves.

Opposing the bill, Ratu George Cakobau said he was bound by his religion to do so.

"Going to be sorry"

“I belong to the Methodist Church,” he said, “and the members of the church are opposed to the lifting of the restriction, particularly where Fijian women are concerned.”

He emphasised this aspect because he felt that Fijian women had not yet emerged from their old status to the new.

Ratu George said his opinion was shared by the larger section of the Fijian community and suggested deferring the bill to a later date.

Ratu Edward was concerned about

the consequences in villages and set tlements if the permit system was abolished. “If we open the door wide, we are going to be sorry for it,” he cautioned.

But the bill was passed and Fiji women are now free to meet their menfolk on an equal footing—at least in the matter of social drinking.

Amendments to the Liquor Ord inance also allow for the extension of drinking hours in Fiji hotels and restaurants on Saturday nights.

Previously, Saturday tipplers had until midnight to buy their liquor— now they may carry on until 2 a.m.

The bill provides for the exten sion of hours under a special hours licence as well as a restaurant licence —and for all licenses to be identified with the premises, rather than the person running them.

Australian Minister for Territories from 1951 to 1964, Paul Hasluck, was knighted in February and named as the next Governor- General of Australia. Sir Paul has been Minister for External Affairs since 1964.