HOME-MADE FERMENTED DRINKS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1911, Page 9

HOME-MADE FERMENTED DRINKS.

THEIR POSITION UNDER NEW LAW. JBY TZLEGKAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. I The Rev. E. Walker, a prominent member of the No-License Party, has been investigating a somewhat fine point of law. At present it is quite lawful for any person to make homemade fermented beverages for home consumption, but not for sale. The question is whether, under absolute prohibition, provided for by the new Licensing Act, a person will still be able to makeliquor for homo consumption. The Act states that under prohibition there must be no manufacture of liquor. The inference is that liquor must not be made in any way. Mr. Walker, after going into the subject, however, is convinced that if the question is brought before the courts the word "manufacture" will be taken to mean "make for sale." In that case, national prohibition will not interfere with present practices in regard to home-made fermented beverages. "The housewife, who makes scones, tarts, and other delicacies for the family," is Mr. Walker's- contention, "does not style herself a manufacturer, but as soon as she does the same kind of work on a large scale for gain she becomes a manufacturer of the goods." As another illustration, he says : "I may make a wheelbarrow for myself, and I am not a manufacturer, but, like the housewife and her cookery, as soon as I mako wheelbarrows in large numbers and sell them I become a manufacturer." He has conferred with two influential members of the House of Representatives, both of whom are supporters of the No-License movement, and both oi them agree with him.