A.—4b.

Mr. Slipper: The mandate orders that the supplying of intoxicating spirits and beverages to the Natives shall be prohibited. I would call Your Honours' attention to the fact that in New Zealand the matter of prohibition is referred to the people. New Zealand has always submitted the question to a referendum, but in the case of prohibition for Samoa there was no reference either to the people of New Zealand or to the people of Samoa —neither the Europeans in Samoa or anybody else in Samoa. I now call Inspector Braisby, the Chief of Police, to give his views on the matter. Arthur Leslie Braisby sworn and examined. Mr. Slipper.\ Your occupation is ? —I am Inspector of Police in charge of the Police Department. How long have you been resident in Samoa ? —Since the sth January, 1920. Have you been in the Police Force the whole of that time ? —Yes, the whole of that time. Now, speaking from your own experience in Samoa, what were the conditions regarding liquor in Samoa when you first came here ? —When I first arrived in Samoa there were several ways of obtaining liquor. First, there was an open bar at the Central Hotel in Matafele. At that time liquor could be bought and consumed 011 the premises. It was there for sale to Europeans. The Chairman.'] Europeans exclusively ? —Yes, exclusively for sale to Europeans. Of course " Europeans " included half-castes. There was also a road-house, known as Kionka's Cafe, at Papase'ea (about three miles out of Apia). This house was a private establishment conducted by Mr. Kionka. Mr. Slipper.] And what was supplied there I—Kionka's Cafe had a wine and beer license, and they supplied wines and beer to Europeans. This place was principally used for social gatherings, such as weddings, and birthdays, and events of that kind. Judge MacCormick.] Was that also confined to supply and consumption on the premises I—Yes.1 —Yes. There was another place, called Malololelei Rest-house. This place is above Vailima, and it was run on the same lines as was Kionka's Cafe. It was conducted by Germans: they had a license to sell wine and beer (to be consumed on the premises) to Europeans. These were the three principal places. There was also a club, known in Apia as the British Club. Mr. Slipper.] Yes, that was situated on the waterfront? —Yes, just by the Yaisigano Bridge. They had the right to sell drinks to members of the club, but this was not a public place. The other method of getting liquor was by getting a police permit. Judge MacCormick.] Was that all for consumption on the various premises ? —Yes. You could not take any away ? —No ; nowhere in Samoa could you take liquor away without a police permit. Mr. Slipper.] That is not a Medical Officer's permit, but a police permit ?—Not a Medical Officer's permit, but a police permit. And on what basis did the police give their permits ?—The police issued permits to Europeans, and issued them on the merits of the individual. That, of course, is not the case now ? —No, it is not the case now. Now is depends on the individual's health ? —lt is issued by the Medical Officers, and has nothing to do with me at all. At that time —the time you spoke of —can you say whether there was any, or much, home brewing going on in the country ? —At that time—l92o—there was no home brewing. Is there any going on now ? —Y^s. Can you tell us approximately when that home brewing started ? —lf the Court would allow me to refer to my notes made last year I could give you more accurate details. Perhaps I should mention, to make the position better understood, that when prohibition came into force, on the Ist May, 1920, Europeans in the country were in possession of fairly large stocks of liquor. I have extracted from the police records the number of permits issued and the amounts of different liquors that were drawn at different periods. For instance, during the month of February, 1920, the police issued permits for 162 bottles of whisky, and in the month of April (that is the last month that permits were issued) they issued permits for 839 bottles of whisky. Another item is wine, which was a very popular drink at that time. During the month of February police permits were issued for 749 bottles of wine, whereas in the month of April—the last month—the number of permits was 1,015. These are two instances of the amounts issued. The news was here that prohibition was coming, and they got their stocks as large as they could. In June of the same year a large number of German residents left the Territory: they had large stocks, which they distributed in the community ; so for the year 1920 every one had large stocks of wine and liquors of all kinds. But that, of course, like all good things, had to come to an end. What happened then I—About1 —About the end of 1920 these stocks were getting a bit short, and in 1921 illicit distillation commenced. What is meant by the term " home brewing " here ?—The term " home brewing," as I understand it, is the making of beer in the household —ginger-beer, hop-beer, and other forms. Do you find that there is any intoxicating beer brewed at home here ?—Yes, we have found cases of that; but such cases are not frequently before the Court. The ■Chairman : We must distinguish between the term " home brewing " meaning the manufacture of non-intoxicating liquor, and that of " home brewing " as applied to the making of intoxicating liquor. Mr. Slipper: By the Act, sir, we are allowed up to 3 per cent. The Chairman.] I want the witness to answer the point—that is, does it contain 3 per cent, or more than 3 per cent. ? —lt is not supposed to contain more than 3 per cent. Mr. Slipper.] With regard to most of the beer that is brewed, what is the quality of that ? -—The home brew that is made principally is made from the preparation known as "All in One."

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