WAR PROFITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1916, Page 7

WAR PROFITS.

PRICES OF LIQUOR. PLAIN TALK BY AN INTERESTED M.P : "I am going to refer to another commodity, and that is liquor," said Mr. J. Vigor Brown, member for Napier, in the House of Representatives. Several members had been discussing the high cost of living and the operations of commercial trusts and combines. "I may as well bring this forward," added Mr. Brown, "since I am in the business. I am never ashamed of anything I am connected wit'l), and if there is anything wrong I will bring it forward whether it affects my pocket or not. "There is a liquor merchants'.association in Wellington composed of a huuiber of \evy wealthy Anns." A member: Trade secret*?

Mr. Brown: "There is no trade secret about this. I want the Government to make enauiries into this matter. The war broke out early in August, 1914, and on September 27, 1014. this association in Wellington sent to a firm this telegram: "Advance Hennessey's 7s fld.' Now, Hennessey's had never raised their prices at all, and did not do so until February 18, H)l6, when they had to. They took no advantage of the war. I am not advertising Hennessey's here, but I am advertising what some of these merchant-:) have done to get profits. I recognise that if they get advice that the price lias gone up they should make an advance here, hut when there is no increase in the cost the merchants have no right to raise prices, and I think these men should be made to disgorge that profit.

".Under the instructions contained in that telegram the price of Gilbey's was raised by 2s Od, when the proper rise should have "Jeen Is. , IJuraell's should have been raised 6d up to July, 1915, but the increase made was 2s 6<l. Geneva, the cost of which was increased by Is in December, 1915, wa« put up by a modest as. In regard to Iledele's cordial, a teetotal drink, Is fid was added without any increase having been made in the cost price. Ginger wine went up 2s Od so far as our merchants were concerned, but there was no increase at Home at all. Champagne had been raised, at Home some time .oefore and was not advanced at the time of the outbreak of war, but it was put up by 10s by our merchants."

Mr. Brown said that one firw had been asked by the associated merchants to put up its price for Dewar's whisky by 3s a case. The managing director refused to do it, saying that until the price was raised by" the manufacturers lie would not raise the price ( to New-Zea-land people. The result was a visit from an agent, who said that unless the firm agreed to follow the lead of the other companies the agency would be withdrawn. The reply was: ''Take the agency away as soon as you like. No war profits are to be made by this firm. We will not be robbers." Mr. Brown quoted from a letter written to Messrs Dewar and Son drawing attention to this matter. "We are not going to make any money out of the war," said the firm. "We feel that any concern which is low enough to do such a thing ought to be in Germany." "It seems to me," added Mr Brown, "iTat everybody is being allowed to plunder everybody else while this war is on."