THE RUM MARKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1917, Page 3

THE RUM MARKET.

The following communication has been received by a well-known English firm of spirit merchants, and a copy ( of it has been forwarded to its Dunedin \ agents for their .information as regards the rum market. —“We are instructed by the Admiralty and War Office to inform you that they are in need of further considerable- quantities of rum for the use of the Navy and the tioops at the front and to request that you will therefore, with the least possible - delay, make offers to us of whatever rum you find you can spare for this purpose. As vou fir© no doubt fiwfire, atock»s of rum' in the importers hands are now practically exhausted, and,. as freight . cannot for the time being bo spared £or the importation of rum the Admiral t y and the War Office are compelled to turn to the stocks which are held by dealors and distributors throughout the country for their immediate wants. We trust you will bo able to {issist the Government in this matter, and, in addition to furnishing what you can out i [ of your own stocks, possibly you may , jbe able to arrange with some of your J customers to. forego part of their re- [ cent purchases. Having regard to the large stocks| which are held in the United Kingdom, . wo cannot help thinking that ,if all will do their part there' should he little difficulty in supplying the Government with their requirements,, and in obviating any necessity for the drastic measures which have been necessary in :- some other directions.” j