BRITISH WINE IMPORTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10333, 29 April 1899, Page 9

BRITISH WINE IMPORTS.

With reference to the extra duties on I wine proposed in the British Budgw, is is j stated that the total quantity of wine takr-n ■ during 1898 for home consumption in the ■ -United Kingdom is given in the official! re-i-turne at 16.616,645 gallons. Of this" total '-about 2,000,000 gallons is represented by champagne and other sparkling wines, which are not affected br the proposed alterations. .in the Imperial Bud-ret. Prior to these being made--rfor, following the ordinary practice, they have doubtless been already so as to protect the revenue—the duties payable on wines introduced into the United Kingdom were as follows.*-—Not exceeding 30 degrees proof spirit, ls j exceeding 30 degrees, but not exceeding 42 degrees, 2s 6cf* for each additional decree of strength beyond 42 deqrrees, 3d; sparkling, imported, in bottles, additional, 2s. ' Upon the basis of last year's consumption, the additional revenue obtained from the. increased duties would be £365.416. . o*^

The distribution- of the consumption was as follows: —Wines of France, 6,033,244j-al: Portugal 4,032.186ira1: Spain, red 2,263,719 gal. white 1,611.826ga1: other countries, 2,675,6705*a1. Total/16,616 t 645en1. -Australasia figures in the returns with 713,869 gallons, and hence rank- - next to Portut-al, having* displaced Holland in the fourth place of wine suppliers to Great Britain. The three countries most affected are France, Spain and Portugal." !