TRUST CONTROL OF LIQUOR

Press, Volume LXXXIIi, Issue 25214, 19 June 1947, Page 3

TRUST CONTROL OF LIQUOR

COMMENT BY BREWERI CHAIRMAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 18. “It may well be that the electors of Masterton who voted for some nebulous trust proposal will find thet they have substituted a dam shadow for the solid substance of private enterprise and competition,” said Sir William Perry, chairman of directors of New Zealand Breweries, Ltd., at the annual meeting of the company to-day, commenting on the Licensing Commission’s report. Sir William Perry said many of the recommendations were, in the opinion of the company’s directors, of a most impracticable nature. Three months after the presentation of the report the public, at a triennial poll on the liquor issue, showed what they thought of State control of the trade. It was interesting to note that Prohibition on this occasion recorded the lowest percentage vote since the poll was introduced more than 30 years ago. “This affords further evidence, if such were necessary, of the futility of continuing these polls,” said Sir William Perry. The directors were pleased to see the licensing emergency regulations substantially revoked last week. It was clear that the Government had appreciated the realities of the situation and taken the commonsense view. -