N. Z. DRINK BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1931, Page 6

N. Z. DRINK BILL

£400,000 LESS 1X 1930. (By Teleyruph—Per Press Associationj WELLINGTON, June 11. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance which opened here to-dav, the annual report called übtenhui'A ho a discrepancy in the taxation of intoxicating liquor in New Zealand as compared with Australia and Britain. It pointed out that in Britain 43 per cent, of the total drink bill was taxation, whereas tin New Zealand only 21 per cent, of the total drinkbill was taxation, according to the records of the importations of intoxicating liquor and of the New Zealand production of beer. It -was stated that during the year 1930 there had been a reduction of 4.4 per cent, compared with the year 1929 It reported to the meeting .that the drink bill for the year 1930 had just been compiled by Mr F. 15. Adams, of Dunedin, and it showed that the estimated expenditure during the year 1930 totalled £7,710,606 This is a. decrease of £406,288 compared with 1929. ;Tt showed ail increase of £144,374 over the year 1928. During the last four years no less than £32,225,265 had been spent- on intoxicating liquor. The expenditure worked out at £5 3s 4d per head of population, .including the Maoris. The consumption in gallons per head of population was: Spirits .381 gallons; wines, .153 gallons; imported beer, .051 gallons, and New Zealand beer, 8.199 gallons.

With the exception of imported boor all these items showed a slight decrease as compared with 1929 The meeting will continue during tomorrow, when the position in view of the looming poll will be fully considered.