COOK ISLAND NATIVES

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 8

COOK ISLAND NATIVES

STATE CONTROL OF LIQUOR TRAFFIC. WELLINGTON, March 4. In view of the stir caused in Samoa some months ago by the proclamation announcing the prohibition of th o importation, manufacture, or sale of alcoholic liquors, members of the parliamentary party on the Mokoia, during a lecture aboard, listened with obvious interest to the remarks of Mr F. W. Platts, Resident Commissioner, Cook Islands, in reference to the position in that group. He said: "In Cook Islands there is State control, but I cannot say that it is a success. No liquor is allowed to natives; it never will be as long as NewZealand has control; but the white community is permitted to obtain . it. This gives the natives a grievance. They complain that the best of their people are not allowed to procure liquor, whilst the worst of the Europeans can get aa much as they like. That a small European community set in the midst of a large native population should be allowed liquor, whilst natives are prohibited, is wrong in principle The Administration makes about £4OO t ;Mj annum from the sale of liquor, but thifl it would gladly forgo if hquor could be cu* out altogether."