The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 374, 22 March 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1871.

Next to the total suppression of the traffic in intoxicating liquors, we think that even teetotallers would desire the purity of the drinks supplied to those who still continue their use. "We can conceive it possible that a man might be actuated by such a diabolical spirit as to wish that'the liquor would burn up the intestinal arrangements of any one not subscribing to his extreme reforming doctrines. But all reasonable teetotallers", and all sensible men, must desire .that the drinks dispensed in our hotels should be free from the dele- ' terious substances that have peopled hospitals and lunatic asylums. In no way can this desirable object be so well attained.as by the liquor being manufactured under our own eyes, and by its purity being guaranteed, by the self-interest of the manufacg& turer ; who, from being surrounded by mm a public consuming his wares, would in- ■ stantly damn his trade, and blight ■ ou future prospects, by allowing anyf C, ti .tt

thing to proceed from his stores containing deadly concoctions. It is on this account that we should, of all local manufactories, desire to see thoroughly established, a local distillery. Men will drink spirits, .whencesoever they may be derived, and irrespective of the duty of encouraging local industry, great social reasons impel us not to oppose,, as frenzied teetotallers woMd urge, but to encourage to the full extent of local demands, the establishment of a local distillery. With these views we cordially rejoice to learn the success that has attended Mr. Cawkwell's distillery, recently established in Official Bay. The problem, if ever there was a doubt about it, has been solved, as to the possibility of producing excellent spirits in Auckland. The one single defect, common to the Crown. Distillery with all other young distilleries, want of age in its production, is one that, like the fault ot youth in the human race, is repaired by time. But vre observe that steps are now in progress by which the establishment will be enabled to hold over its in quantity, and so permit no spirits but those that have been thoroughly matured by age to quit its vaults. In some continental countries this is arranged by the state; and, on the manufacturer placing his goods in bond, almost their total value in money is advanced to him at a merely nominal interest, so as to enable him to carry on his business to its fullest extent without compelling him to immediatey place his wares in the market. We are too enlightened and too much given to the " immutable principles" of fere trade for allowing such paternal fostering of local industry, and in the absence of such provision, we observe that the proprietors of our local distillery have taken the next best means for the attainment of the same end, in extending their capital by the issue of shares. There are various considerations that make this procedure a wise one. A vast saving will be effected in purchasing grain, distillation can be completed on an extensive scale during favourable months—winter— and encouragement given to the incipient beet-root sugar industry, by presenting to growers the prospect of converting their refuse products into rum. Taking into account this latter object, the production of rum, which is known in sugar-growing countries to be incomparably the most profitable operation '** o O » n <.->ti.« -nrUU the Bugor-«*ne, the distillery will immensely increase the prospects of its own success, and will serve an excellent purpose as an auxiliary to one of our most promising industries, the production of beet-root, and its manufacture into sugar. We have no doubt that success wi 1 attend the present movement for the incorporation of a company by the distribution of shares. These shares, we observe, have been fixed at a price that will place them within the reach of everyone; and thus the best guarantee is afforded for the success of any local institution, in the enlisting the interest of a large body of the people in its prosperity.