WINE AND SPIRITS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 7

WINE AND SPIRITS

INCREASED ISSUES FROM BRITISH BOND.

While no decision lias yet been come to by the Government as to an increase in the release of wines and spirits from bond (states the_ London "Times"), thore _is practically no doubt that an increased issue will be sanotioned. The present prices are regarded as excessive, arid as likely to become more so while the supply is restricted as at present. It is understood that the Government will ■ have under consideration the desirability of releasing-as much light French wine as possible. It is in great demand, and its consumption would, as in the case of low gravity beer, tend to reduce the consumption of spirits.

This announcement should have a steadying effect on whisky prices, which have advanced to an exorbitant figure. Whisky has been scarce in London now for somo time, but more than the usual number of retail merchants recently liavo had no spirits for sale. Firms that, in normal times, would have had hundreds of bottles in stock liavo been in the same predicament as tho suburban shopkeeper whose usual orders do not extend beyond a few cases.' Tlie present deniaJidi for spirits, and for whisky in particular, is far in excess of the limited quantity which tlie Government have allowed to be removed from bond, and in some districts a merchant who obtains supplies is relieved of them in the course of a few days us soon as his cutomers learn that he has _ anything to sell. Prices have risen in an extraordinary wtoy, but whatever is asked somebody will buy. A member of a well-known Scottish firm of distillers, discussing the shortage with a representative of "The Times," said that under the restrictions imposed by tho Intoxioating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order, 1917, thoQwhisky to be released from bond during the year whioh would end in March next represented 50 per cent, of tho quantity cleared in 1916. The allotment was made for two six-monthly periods, the first of which expired on September 80. Retailers wero now waiting -to get their second allotment, and this probably accounted for tho present dearth, though some people might also bo holding back stocks to obtain a still higher price. An increase in tho issue from bond would stop this practice. It had to bo remembered that no whisky was .now being made, and it was in accordance with economic law that as stocks grew lower prices should move upwards. In Scotland soday there could not be more tlian three or four years' supply of whisky in bond. Notwithstanding the difficult conditions, the prices which were being paid for spirits at trade auction sales wore, to say the least, remarkable. As much as 150s. a dozen had been bid last, week for proprietary whiskies whioh before the war were retailed at 4s. a bottle,