WINES AND SPIRITS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1927, Page 1

WINES AND SPIRITS.

HEAVY CEEAK ANCES. (Australian A X.Z. Cable Association.) AUCKLAND. June 25. During the last week large purchases of wines and spirits have been made from bonded stores in Auckland. A total of £IOO.OOO lias been mentioned for tHo whole of the country. Although that figure cannot he verified there is no doubt that the purchase [nice in the aggregate runs into many thousands. Buyings have been big in Auckland alone. Ihe cause of these transactions is not far to Seek; a Tariff Bill is indicated in the Government’s proposal during tin* present session. There is no definite statement, that the duty on wines and spirits (particularly spirits) is to lie increased, hut the provisions nf a Tarilf Bill would naturally entail heavy payments on imported whisky of proprietary brands. A wine and spirit merchant put the position as follows: —"11 you had a certain amount of capita! lying idle and there was a possibility that yon would have to pay heavily to get hold of that capital, wouldn't you get ii out ?”

MILD RANK’ AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, June 25

A mild panic lias set in in regard to clearances of spirits from bonds. A local merchant mid a reporter that there had been a big clearance of spirits, principally of whisky, Irom local bonds during the week. Though no authentic information seems to be available on the subject, the feeling of merchants in Dunedin is that there is likely to ibe an increase in duty on spirits, ami apparently nothing is being left to chance. Several wholesale merchants report a, clearing of tobacco in anticipation of an increase in file tariff, but the lcpresontutive of one firm which was approached on the matter said that lie knew of no foundation for the rumour. The opinion seems to be held generally that some change is likely.