NATIVE RACES AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sfa,—I wish to call your attention to a matter which seems quite rightly to be claiming increasing attention in all countries controlled by whites for the benefit of native races. I refer to the traffic in alcoholic liquor.
It seems paradoxical that while in the Mandated Territories of the Southern Pacific the British Empire has placed an absolute ban on the importation and sale of liquor, in Fiji and other Crown Colonies no such stand has been taken. One would hesitate to suggest that the natives -of newly acquired mandated territories are entitled to greater care than the indigenouS races of our Crown Colonies, who have given unswerving loyalty to us over long periods.
That the temper of the population is against the importation of liquor is shown by thc fact that the Fiji League against
Alcoholism held a short time ago a crowded meeting at which Fijians and Europeans, Hindu, Christian 'and Muslim Indians attended. A proposal to circularize all holders of liquor permits asking them to return their permits to-the Government was carried unanimously. A resolution was also passed, and is to be forwarded to the " Native Races and Liquor Traffic United Committee," pointing out that the principle of trusteeship so widely acknowledged by the nation should be extended to the native races in all territories under British control and asking the Committee's assistance in bringing the Liquor Policy of. the Crown Colony of Fiji into line with that of the British Mandated Territories of the Southern Pacific.
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