THE PUBLIC APPETITE

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 223, 19 September 1919, Page 7

THE PUBLIC APPETITE

IN SMOKES AND DRINK. SOME STBIKING FIGUBES. Some remarkably- illuminating figures are contained in *a Government return, ehowing the consumption per head of population of articles in common use. Tobacco lias apparently enjoyed a steady demand from the public. The amount consumed per head between IS9B and 1918 has ranged between 6.89 and 7.Tibs., and the amount of cash expended by each person for his indulgence in the fragrant weed rose in the t~ame period from £1 4/ to £1 0/9. Cigare and cigarettes, however, 'became increasingly popular, the amount expended per head rising from C/ 7to £1 3/11. In 1893 the total amount of duty on imported tobacco, cigars and cigarettes was £331,380, which increased in 1918 to £815,654. In 1918, -2,387.5501b. of tobacco were used by the entire population. It is rather surprising .to find that, whereas the consumption, of spirits in 189S was 2.27 gallons, at am expenditure of £1 IC/4 per head, in 191S the amount decreased to I.SG gallons, costing £1 13/63 per head. In the case of ale and beer, the decrease is even more striking, the figures per head in ISO'S being 0.39 gallons, and in 1918 0.04 gallons, the cost per Vioad being 91<1 and ljd. respectively. A sudden decrease took place from 1916, when the total consumption was 229,320 gallons, which fell to 50,630 gallons in 1917, and to 32.370 gallons in 1918. Wine, also fell in popular favour, decreasing from 0.22 gallons per head in 1898 to 0.17 gallons in 191 S. Tea, on tlie other hand, has risen in popular favour. In IS9S the amount consumed per head was G.031b, which amount rose to S.lGlb. in 191 S. Coffee and cocoa declined from 0.071b. per head t00.481b. in the same period. The amount of sugar used by each person rose from 03.011b. in 1803 to 121.21b. in 1917. and then decreased again to 04.21b. in 101 S.