SPIRIT MEASURES NOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1039, 1 August 1930, Page 1

SPIRIT MEASURES NOW

NO INCREASE IN WINE PRICES RESULT OF NEW TARIFF The new prices and measures which will operate in hotels as a result of the increase in duty under the new tariff will come into operation in a fortnight's time. With the exception of bottled spirits, which will be increased by Is a bottle, there will be practically no difference in the cost of spirits to the public in hotels. Several meetings have been held by the Auckland Licensed Victuallers’ Association since the tariff was published, and it is stated that the following decisions have been reached: Bottled spirits, whisky, gin and rum, to be increased by Is a bottle. ! Draught whisky to remain at its present price. Beer to remain at its present price, as the additional Id a gallon duty cannot be passed on to the public. Spirits to be sold in hotel bars at 6d and 9d a nip, for which measures will be installed. No increase in the price of foreign wines. This means, of course, that prices in the wine and spirit trade are practically the same. The merchants have agreed to bear tho extra 4d a bottle as the increase on bottled spirits, under the new tariff, is Is 4d. Only Is of this will be passed on to the public. SPIRITS BY MEASURE The old custom of pouring out one’s own whisky, gin or rum in the hotel bar will be abolished, and all spirits will be regulated by measure. Measures were introduced into some hotel bars after the last Increase in wine and spirit duties, but they were not used a great deal. Now such measures will be installed in all hotel bars. Formerly there were only Gd measures, but now- both 6d and 9d measures will find a place in every hotel bar. Hotel proprietors consider that the changes will increase the consumption of draught whisky, which remains at 12s 6d a bottle. Branded, bottled whisky will be 14s 6d as against 13s 6d at present. LIQUOR PRICES RISE INCREASE IN WELLINGTON Press Association WELLINGTON, Thursday. The new price list for spirits in Wellington and district will be issued tomorrow, and will come into operation forthwith. The price of case spirits will be advanced by Is 6d a bottle. There will be no change in the price of draught spirits, and the increase in the beer duty will have no effect on retail prices. Mr. P. Coyle, official representative of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, mado the above statement today, adding that the price of smaller bottles of case spirits would be advanced in proportion. “Representations have been made to the Government,” he said, “pointing out that investigations had Indicated that the recent increase in duty is not likely to have the effect of increasing tho revenue. In the event of any modification of the tariff proposals respecting liquor, the trade will be only too pleased to give the public the benefit of any reduction. Asked if leading Scotcli whisky firms were likely to establish branches in New Zealand for bottling purposes, similar to those established in Australia, Mr. Coyle said he was not in a position to state the intentions of the firms concerned. Referring to the beer duty, Mr. Coyle said the Budget estimated the revenue for the current year at £615,000, against £622,935 last year, a decrease of nearly £B.OOO. Practically four months of the financial year' had gone, in which the old duty had operated. If last year's output was maintained the increase of a half penny a gallon would produce about £27,000. In face of those figures, either the Minister was anticipating a lean period or was • budgeting for a surplus.