RAROTONGA LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8475, 28 January 1891, Page 5

RAROTONGA LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

On Monday the New Zealand Alliance forwarded by the Southern mail a "statement " to His Excellency the Governor, in reference to the present position of the liquor traffic in Raratonga and the recent action of the British Resident, Mr. F. J. Moss ; as also suggestions as to the manner in which the Alliance conceive the liquor traffic in the Islands should be dealt with. Copies of the "statement," with the correspondence contained in an appendix, has also been sent to the Government, and will also be forwarded by the outgoing Island steamer to Queen Makea, of Rarotonga, as well by the English mail to Lord Salisbury, the directors of the London Missionary Society, and the United Kingdom Alliance. After describing the history of the natives of the Rarotongan Group, and their previous immunity from the evils of the liquor traffic, the " statement" goes on to say Mussels from New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, and elsewhere now carry on a considerable commerce with these islands, and in defiance of evasion or the law, alcoholic liquors are introduced to a large extent, and which has already gone far to destroy the general sobriety, and threatens to annihilate the race. It then points out that the natives unaided are unable to grapple with the evil. Referring to Mr. Moss's appointment as Resident, the following remarks are made : —" What are the objects, functions,, and kinds of power of the appointment are not very clearly understood, but it ia understood that although salaried by the Colonial Government Mr. Moss holds himself entirely independent of it in the performance of his 'duties, and only responsible to the Imperial Government. Mr. Moss has recently paid his first visit to Rarotonga, the duration of which was only a few days. Brief as the period was, however, he appears to have suggested to the Parliament of Raratonga very important political and legislative changes of a fundamental character, when lie appeared for the time to have occupied by some means the Presidential chair of the Legislature. Among these changes is a fundamental alteration of the prohibitory law in relation to intoxicants, and the legalisation of their importation under the superintendence of a European officer, who, on their arrival in the colony, is to take charge of them and distribute them to such applicants as he thinks proper, on payment of duty, or license fee of so much a gallon, and apparently on behalf of the importer, of the price of the liquor. This appears in some manner or another to have passed through the Legislature under Mr. Moss's peculiar presidency before referred to. It seems, however, very clear that the whole transaction was a surprise to the natives. The Alliance suggests that the New Zealand Government should act in the direction suggested by the Rev. Mr. Chalmers, arid contribute a moderate salary for the appointment of an officer, whoso duty it should be to prevent the introduction of strong drink into the group, not to regulate its sale, or receive fees or revenue therefrom. Such a course they maintain, would be a recognition of the responsibility it has assumed by its action in reference to the appointment of a British Resident."