WHISKY STOCKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10274, 8 May 1919, Page 7

WHISKY STOCKS

DEMANDS FOll-INiFLUENZA PATIENTS. Though tie British Ministry of Food lias granted licenses to distillers oj whisky to resume operations, this ordj rofors to • permits tor tho release ol grain for stills. As> yet (writes an Edinburgh, news- . paper correspondent) no , permit has been granted for tha release of malt, ■ tho stocks of which are extremely low ' in Scotland. Tho supply of'xhii essential (comrAodii-y for tttie rpvirpotse o.fl • blending was stopped four years ago. \ The bulk of the Scottish, whisky is blended, so there i» little chance of a resumption of operations on a laraa scale until an adequate supply of mali ' is available. .. '

Tho opinion • among distillers, is 'hat ; the. authorities will • sur- , plus stocks of spirits; - ''which were " manufactured, for the-; purpose of mak* k ing munitions. ; When tht) Government- took control of the stills- Jarge quantities of grain .spirit were manufactured—for muni- 1 tion purposes, and it is- thought -.hat.; these stocks will.now he handed back to ■ the distillers at a fixed price in order . to enable them to make a start with, ! the making of whisky. '' ';;^;^ : | This would require to remain'lii bond ' for three years, till it is matured, when j£ would be available' for publio . consumption. ... .'*'...

There are, in the meantime, eon- .| siderable stocks of whisky in' bond, .'■ which would be available for public ufla 1 in' much larger quantities than are be- , ; ing at present released. These stocks ; could immediately be cleared, in view j of the fact that.tho distilleries are per-. 1 mittted to resume the manufacture at ' •whisky and reipjeniah their supplies • oven in a restricted volume. J It is calculated that there is about a I .five years' supply to meet, present requirements at a considerably cheaper rate than is charged for very inferior ; whisky. ■ •

Dundee Food Control Committee has agreed to make application for additional supplies of whisky for mfluens:a patients. It is stated" that, despite medical certificates, no whiskv is available. ....".

'"" Bailie .'3laptlpnald, the, chairman of ■ the comriiittee, says ,ifc" is .high time ; the,.sbveriyn.Riit released. ..more, whisky. .' "There, .are,", he addsj.-Vmaiiy men I coßiiag...home .fj'om .the- Army and .Navy ' who want mqro stimulant, and they ought to get'it." "'• ■ ■ ■ "' ,