Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1911. OUR DRINK BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10193, 21 March 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1911. OUR DRINK BILL.

Paradoxical though it may appear, it is nevertheless a fact that, while the No-license movement in New Zealand has made rapid headway, the consumption per head of the population of the Dominion has increased during the last year or two. As the available returns prove conclusively that in No-license areas the eonsumption of alcohol has considerably decreased, the only deduction that can possibly be made is that in licensed districts the drinking habits of the people (have become more general. The prohibitionist will, of course, argue that this is a strong reason for the carrying of prohibition throughout the Dominion. The Rev. E. .<alke:i, in the course of his annual report says:— "Anyone may form his oyvk estimate of what the figures would be if the increase, after passing the Customs and excise, of the quantity of liquor, ,by methods known to the trade, and the actual cost to the ' consumers, not at per gallon, but as sold across the bar, could be calculated. Probably five million pounds sterling, and five pounds per head of population, or £25 per household, is less

than was really spent on liquor in. New Zealand last year." Mr. Walker remarks, referring to the amount spent over a series of years: "Prior to 1870, in the days of. the diggings, the drink bill per head of population was much heavier than it has been since, cheques and gold being 'knocked down' with the utmost recklessness> >so that in the absence of the figures it is difficult to form an estimate of the- drink expenditure on the cost per gallon basis for the thirty years of thecountry's history up to 1870. An estimate which would bring the total to the present time up to £125,000,000 would probably be much within the mark. It must be remembered that this cost is estimated upon me actual quantity of which; the Customs and excise has- taken cognisance, and as if th& customers purchased it all by the gallon at ordinary per gallon rates,; and takes no account of dilution and adulteration, nor of the much greater-;, cost of a gallon to the consumers' when'-it is served to them by the glass or the nip! It is obvious that £250,000,000 might be a, moderate estimate of the amount that has- been squandered for liquor, involving many mil-* lions more cost to the State to cope with the consequences.' 7 '