BOOTLEG LIQUOR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1944, Page 4

BOOTLEG LIQUOR

LARGE-SCALE TRADE

SERVICEMEN EXPLOITED

(0.C.)

SYDNEY, March 3

The existence of a large-scale trade in poisonous bootleg liquor carried on between Melbourne and Sydney was revealed by the Minister of Customs, Senator Keane, in yesterday's newspapers.

He said that suspicions of interState bootlegging had been confirmed after New South Wales police and Federal officers set a trap at Yass, nearly half-way between Sydney and Albury, which adjoins Victoria. A car caught in the trap was found to be carrying 131 bottles of Australian whisky. The driver, convicted under New South Wales liquor laws, was fined £50 for carrying the liquor, and the car and liquor were forfeited to the Crown.

"The driver had been paid £25 a week and all expenses for running the liquor between the States," Senator Keane said. "It was discovered that the liquor was being transported in large quantities to Sydney. It was dropped at the depot, the bottles emptied, the whisky adulterated with illicit spirit, rebottled, and labelled 'Scotch.' Bona fide labels and capsules were used to seal bottles.

"The liquor was distributed to street pedlars, who exploited unsuspecting servicemen and others at £4 and £5 a bottle. Sale of liquor of this type is morally and physically undermining the nation. Raw spirit used for adulterated liquor is a poisonous liquid. In Melbourne shoe polish has been mixed with Australian wine." •■