LIQUOR IN THE ISLANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1920, Page 5

LIQUOR IN THE ISLANDS.

VIEWS OF COOK ISLAND COMMISSIONER. By Telegraph.—Press Associr.tion. Wellington, March i. In view of the stir caused in Samoa some months ago by the proclamation announcing the prohibition of the importation, manufacture or sale of alcoholic liquors, members of the Parliamentary party on the Mokoia, during a lecture on board, listened with, obvious interest to the remarks of Mr. F. W. Platts, the Resident Commissioner of the > Cook Islands, in reference to the position in that group. "In the Cook Islands," he said, "there is State Control, but I cannot say that it is a success. Liquor is not allowed to the natives and it never will be as long as New Zealand has control, but the white community is permitted to obtain it. This gives the natives a grievance and they complain that the best of their people are not allowed to procure liquor, Whilst the worst of the Europeans can get as much ns thev like. That d small European community set in the midst of a large native population should be' allowed liquor. while the natives are prohibited, is wrong in principle. The administration makes about £4OO per annum from tiie sale of liquor. This it would gladly forego if liquor could be cut out'altogether."