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There are no licensed distilleries or breweries, and the police take steps to prevent illegal manufacture. There is no Samoan beverage containing alcohol. The Samoan ceremonial drink, lava, if allowed to stand does not ferment, and after a few hours becomes stale and unpalatable. It is not consumed in sufficient strength to have any toxic effects.

Spirits and alcoholic beverages imported during the year ended 31st March, 1948, were: —

* The approximate percentages of alcohol by weight given above are those accepted by the Customs Department in Hew Zealand. The maximum alcohol content permitted for wines is 40 per cent, proof spirit. There is no limitation as regards the alcohol content of ale and other fermented liquor, and analyses of samples of all brands of ale imported show 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 " and have accordingly been omitted from the return. Importations for sacramental purposes were 169 gallons of wine, and for industrial purposes 240 gallons of rectified spirits of wine. Revenue derived from duties on liquor for the year ended 31st March, 1948, were : £ s. d. Medicinal liquor .. .. .. .. 2,944 19 10 Industrial liquor (Note. —No duty was payable under this head, as the rectified spirits of wine referred to above were imported by the Administration.) Sacramental liquor .. .. .. .. 4 18 0 Except in the case of sacramental liquor, which pays port and Customs service tax only, the ordinary ad valorem rates of duty applying to all goods not subject to specific duties are levied on liquor. The rates are : Import duty, 17-| per cent, or 25 per cent., plus surcharge of 15 per cent, or 25 per cent, on British and other respectively; port and Customs service tax, 5 per cent. There is no authorization for higher specific rates of duty. All liquor is sold by the Administration at prices approximating current retail prices in New Zealand and the rate of duty is therefore immaterial. Population The last census was taken on 25th September, 1945. The assessment of population since that date is based on records kept by the Registrar of European Births and Deaths, by the Samoan Affairs Department, and by the Inspector of Police as Immigration Officer. The registration of births and deaths is compulsory. For population statistics for the last five years see Appendix I.

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Nature of Liquor. Average Approximate Percentage of Alcohol byWeight.* Quantity imported, 1947-48. Quantities issued under Medical Permits, 1947-48. Countries of Origin. Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Whisky 38-5 to 510 2,028 2,231 United Kingdom, Canada. Brandy 38-5 to 49-3 142 179 Portugal, Prance. Gin 40-6 201 243 United Kingdom, Holland. Rum 40-0 to 47-0 290 193 British West Indies, Australia. Alcoholic beverages — Liqueurs 25-0 to 30-0 82 74 Australia, Prance. Port, sherry, white 12-0 to 17-8 526 429 Portugal, Australia, Spain. wines, champagne Vermouth 5-5 to 10-0 40 177 Australia, Portugal, Italy, Prance.