THE POWERS AND SUPPLY OF LIQUORS TO NATIVES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10263, 4 February 1899, Page 5

THE POWERS AND SUPPLY OF LIQUORS TO NATIVES.

On the invitation of the King of the Belgians, the Powers will assemble next month at Brussels to consider the question of the supply of liquor and firearms to the natives of Africa. The Brussels Act of 1889----90 expired a few months ago, and it is for the Powers to agree either to continue that Act or to pass an Act more stringent and far-reaching in its provisions, founded upon the experience of the past few years. "The Brussels Act," remarks the "New Age," "was largely in the way of an experiment. In practice it has been found wanting. It did not go far" enough. The proposals of England made practically for the extinction of the liquor traffic, but the Conference which considered the question was not prepared to accept them, and the decision ultimately arrived at was a compromise. The evidence thai; has accumulated since 1890 points conclusively to the soundness of the position England then took up. Something has been done to stem the flood of pernicious liquor into Africa, but not nearly so much as might have been done had the high tariff suggested by England been adooted by the Powers interested in Africa. There will be an opportunity at the forthcoming Conference of remedying the defects that experience has revealed, and of strengthening the protection afforded to the hapless natives of Africa against the vile traffic that is condemned by almost all who have any knowledge of it. The imposition of higher duties than at present prevail is necessary, _f anything effectual is to be done. The trade in spirits is not only harmful to the natives, but injurious to the more legitimate commerce of the European Powers." —"The Clarion."