DOMINION’S DRINK BILL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2185, 5 October 1920, Page 2

DOMINION’S DRINK BILL

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE,

ASTOUNDING INCREASED CONSUMPTION. . (Special.) A return compiled by Mr A. S. Adams shows that for the year 1919 the estimated direct expenditure on drink in New Zealand was £6,280,220, an increase of £1,833,995 over the total expenditure for 1918. There was an increased consumption of New Zealand beer of 3,203,452 gallons, while spirits and wines also show increases—131,104 and 48,211 gallons respectively. Imported beer consumed shows a decrease of 2,395 gallons. The expenditure per head of the population (including Maoris) was £5 5s 10 UI, or an increase of £1 8s 9d per head. The estimated consumption per head shows- the following; — Spirits, increase 0.07 gal.; wines, increase 0.037 gal.; beer (imported) decrease 0.003 gal.; beer (Now Zealand), increase 2.49 gal. A. supplementary statement by the New Zealand Alliance shows that of 14,874,451 gallons for the whole Dominion, 14,492,947 gallons, or 14.77 gallons per head, was for the Lconse electorates, and 381,504 gallons, or 1.80 gallons per head, was for the No-License electorates. SOME ARRESTING FACTS.

The total 'estimated direct drink expenditure of £0,280,22(5, if paid direct to the Government instead of to the liquor sellers, would: —(1) repay in seven ye’ars the whole of the capital invested in the railways of the Dominion (3,000 miles, and lines under construction), with all rolling stock and equipment. (2) Pay the whole expenditure of the railways for the year, and four and two-thirds per cent, on the capital of £39,000,000 invested in the railways. (3) Enable the Government to carry all passengers and goods free on all our. railways, and leave a balance .sufficient to cover all the revenue derived from liquor. (4) Pay the interest on war loans of £100,000,000 at 41 per cent., and leave a sinking fund of £1.750,000 for the year. (5) Pay the whole annual cost of our public schools, technical schools, high schools, and universities, postal, telegraph and telephone services, public hospitals and charitable aid.

.The estimated amount spent on liquor is sufficient to provide for our soldiers: (a)'U pension of £2 per week for (iO,3SG unmarried soldiers; or {I)), a peli-ion of £3 per week for 40,257 married soldiers with wife only; or (<■) a pension of £4 per week to 30,193 married soldiers with wife and two children.