N.Z. DRINK BILL FOR 1917.
(Compiled by Mr A. S. Adams, Dunedin.) .
For the year 1917 th© estimated direct expenditure on drink in New Zealand, calculated on the pre-war basis of valuation, was £4,474,872, but the prices charged to the consumer have been considerably increased on the plea that this was necessary to oover tho increased cost, freight, and duty..
Imported spirits (except case spirits) are "broken aown" before salo by the addition of about 25 per cent, of water. This is a recognised and legitimate practice, but the bulk is thus increased by 25 per cent, without any added cost, and the diluted spirit is sold at the current prices. Probably three-fourths of the spirits are imporiod 'in bulk. The result of this breaking down process is that while the Customs returns show 759,118 gallons of spirits consumed during the year 1917, the actual quantity paid for by the consumer is upwards of 900,000 gallons. The water added has not been taken into account in previous estimates. During the year many of the retailers increased the price of spirits over the bar fron\ 6d per glass (48s per gallon) to 9d per glass (72s per gallon). This increase was at different-periods in different parts of the Deminion, and was for part of the year only. It would be safe to assume that .the average cost of all spirits to the consumer throughout tho year was not less than 48s per gallon (including the water added), and on that of imported' beer was at least 10s per gallon. On this basis the direct cost of alcoholic liquors to the consumer for the year is estimated at £4,757,085. The direct and indirect cost was probably well over £10,000,000. It appears from tho returns furnished by the Comptroller of Customs that while tho fair value of tho spirits, duty paid, was a fraction over 36s per gallon in 1916, this value in 1917 was a fraction less than 31s 3d. Tho price has therefore been raised by 50 per cent., while tho value duty paid was reduced by oyer 16 per cent. The reduction in cost is doubtless due to the importation of spirits of an inferior quality, but the cost to the consumer has been raised on the. ground of an alleged increase in tho cost. When the usual 25 per cent, of water has been added to the imported spirit the cost is reduced to 2os. At 6d per glass this would yield a gross profit of 23s per gallon, or 92 per cent. At 9d per glass the gross profit is £2 7s per gallon, or 188 per cent.
EXPENDITURE. (Estimated on basis of values adopted before the war.). £ Spirits: 753,118f»al at 40s (decrease 20,580ga1) .. .. .. 1,518,23S Water added, eay 142,500ga! at 40s 28-5,000 "Wines: 142,859 gal at 40s (increase 4101 gal) .. .. 335,718 Beer: Imported, 80,630gul at 6s (decrease 148,690ga1) .. 24,189 Beer: N.Z., at it (increase 88,120g»l) .. .. 2,267,169 Total £4,380,312 ESTIiIAvCED EXPENDITURE. (Taling into account the increase in price.) £ Spirits: 709,118 gal at 4Se (decrease 20,580g*1) 1,821,883 "Water added, say at 48s 342,000 Wines: 142,859 gal at 40s (increase 4101 gal) .. .. .. 235,718 Beer: Imported, 80,630 gal at 10s (decrease 148,690gai) .. .. 40,315 Beer: N.Z., 11,335,815 gal at 4s (increase 88,120 gal) .. .. 2,267,163 Total .. .. .. £4,757,085 Estimated total for 1916 .. ... 4,750,009 Increase £7,085
Estimated European population at December 31st. 1917 1,097,815 Maori population .. .. .. 43,776 Total .. .. 1,117,391 Estimated .expenditure per bead £i 3 SI Estimated expenditure per bead in . 1917 .. .. .. .. £i 211 ; Expenditure per household of live persons ' .. .. £20 14 " j CONSUMPTION. j (Per head of population.) I 1916. 1917. Dec. Inc. G«ls. Gals. Gals. Gals. Spirits .. .. .68 .66 .02 — (Added water not taken into account.) Imported wines .. .12 .124 — .001 Imported beer .. .19 .07 .12 — N.Z. beer .. .. 9.8 9.9 — .1 i
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Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16260, 10 July 1918, Page 3
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628N.Z. DRINK BILL FOR 1917. Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16260, 10 July 1918, Page 3
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