A.—4,

In the New Zealand Proficiency Examinations the following results were obtained :

XVIII.—LIQUOR AND DRUGS. (Information in the Form recommended by the Permanent Mandates Commission in the Report of its Twenty-first Session.) A. There were no changes in legislation or regulations issued during the year. B. The judicial statistics on page 10 show sixteen persons arrested or summoned during 1932-33 for breaches of the laws and regulations relating to liquor. All were convicted. Figures for preceding years were : — Arrested or „ . , , summoned. Con ™ted. 1931-32 .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 4 1930-31 .. .. .. .. .. ..33 30 1929-30* .. .. .. .. 20 18 * A period of fifteen months.

C. Imports of spirits and alcoholic beverages during the year 1932-33 : —

For sacramental purposes, 263 gallons of wine ; for industrial purposes, nil gallons rectified spirits of wine. D. Production within the territory is prohibited by law. E. Revenue derived from duties on importation, 1932-33 : — Medicinal liquor (import duty per cent, or 25 per cent., and Port £ s. d. and Customs service tax 5 per cent.) .. . . . . 661 2 6 Industrial liquor (ditto) . . . . .. . . .. Nil. Sacramental liquor (free of import duty ; Port and Customs Service tax, 5 per cent.) . . .. .. . . .. .. 310 0 These duties are the ordinary ad valorem rates applying to all goods not subject to specific rates of duty ; there is no authorization for higher specific rates of duty on liquor, for the rate of duty is immaterial, having regard to the fact that all liquor is sold by and for the Administration at prices approximating current retail prices in New Zealand. F. In view of the position explained in E, there are no other duties, license fees, or taxes. G. There is no Native beverage containing alcohol. The Native drink " kava," if allowed to stand, does not ferment, and after a few hours becomes Stale and unpalatable. It is not consumed in Western Samoa in sufficient strength or quantity to have toxic effects. H. General information with regard to liquor, in addition to the above, was given in the Eighth Report, 1928. During 1932-33 there were no offences detected or convictions under the Samoa Dangerous Drugs Order, 1930.

14

School. Candidates presented. Pass Proficiency. Sfetenc "' ■ Ifi Ifi .. 14 8 3 Marist Brothers' ...... 15 8 1 Marist Sisters' ...... 4 2 1 Avele ........ 22 14 5

Quantities issued under Average Approxi- Quantity Medical Permits. mate Percentage of imported, Countries of Origin. Alcohol by Weight.* 1932-33. 1931-32. 1932-33. Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Whisky .. .. 38-5 to 51*0 1,886 726| 1,003 United Kingdom. Brandy .. .. 38-5 to 49-3 40 95J 65 France and Australia. Gin .. .. 40-6 355 230-| 377 United Kingdom and Holland. Alcoholic beveragesPort and sherry .. 12-0 to 17-8 438 248J 309|- , r Claret .. .. 5-5 to 10-0 40 21 26J j Australla - Stout .. .. 5-5 680 666J 419 United Kingdom and Australia. Champagne .. 7-5 to 10-6 4 3-1 3§ Prance. * The approximate percentages of alcohol by weight given above are those accepted by the Customs Department in New Zealand. Analyses have been made of samples of all brands of ale imported, with results showing percentages of alcohol by weight ranging from 1*51 to only 2*39. The ales imported into Western Samoa, therefore, although subject to regulations under the Samoa Act, 1921, do not come within the definition of "intoxicating beverages" as accepted by the Permanent Mandates Commission (minutes of the tenth session, page 182), and have accordingly been omitted from the return.