NATIVE DRINK IN FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 9

NATIVE DRINK IN FIJI.

DEBATE REGARDING KAVA. [from our own correspondent.] SUVA. Nov. 22. The annual Fiji Methodist Synod discussed the native custom of vaqona or kava-drinking by tho people of Polynesia, among whom it is a well-known and timo honoured custom. Tho following announcement was made:—"Before (lie contact of tho Polynesians with civilisation vaqona drinking was confined to tho chiefs and was not harmful to thoso who drank it in moderation. It is a narcotic and not an intoxicant. In these later days many restraints havo been removed and many ancient customs are breaking down. Things which once were tabu aro now done without fear or compunction. In regard to sonto customs this is an advantage and a mark of progress, but the promiscuous drinking of yaqona has not made for the betterment of the Fijian. "It was felt by the native representatives at tho synod that yaqona drinking was weakening their race and they sought to adopt certain measures to prevent its increase. Gratitude was expressed at a provision in the new native regulations for making it a punishablo offence for males under 18 years of ago or femalos under 25 to drink yaqona." A committee consisting of certain chiefs and nativo ministers was appointed to go into the matter, and advise the synod in regard to tho drinking of yaqona by church officials on ceremonial and other occasions. "In spite of all the efforts of the Government and the mission to prevent the nse of Fijian medicines and wai-vakato-voro ' it was reported that it was still prevalent in many districts. In some cases much harm was being done both to children and adults. It was pointed out that some Fijian herbs were valuable for medicinal purposes, and under certain cir cninstuiices (heir use was permissible The real harm lay not so much in the use of these herbs as in the sorcery and witchcraft connected with the various methods of administering them. Action is to be taken, and everything possible will be done.to stamp out this evil."