RESTRICTION OF BREWING

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24904, 18 June 1946, Page 4

RESTRICTION OF BREWING

MINISTER REPLIES TO RESOLUTION REDUCED ALLOCATION OF SUGAR A reply to the representations made recently by a public meeting in Christchurch, that the brewing of beer should be restricted, in order to save barley for food, has been received by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) from the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). “In so far as barley is concerned the Department of Agriculture advises me that in conjunction with the representative of the maltsters,* brewers, and growers, it regulates the barley requirements of the brewing industry," wrote the Minister, “and I understand that the major brewers and maltsters have agreed that there will be no increase in last year’s usage of barley for malting. This arrangement was referred to by the Deputy-Director-General of Agriculture during a recent deputation to the Prime Minister from representatives of Churches in New Zealand, as a result of which an undertaking was given that the whole position would be reviewed. “Atttention should be drawn also to the fact that a substantial reduction has been made by the Rationing Controller in the amount of sugar allocated to the brewing industry. You will gain some impression.of the extent of the reduction when I say that supplies sugar to brewers are now on the basis \ of 50 per cent, of the 1941 usage. You may be assured that no effort is being spared by the Government to ensure that every possible ounce of foodstuffs generally is being conserved to fill a need in Great Britain at the present time.”