DISTILLATION OF SPIRITS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25227, 4 July 1947, Page 6

DISTILLATION OF SPIRITS

WELLINGTON MAN’S CLAIMS PARLIAMENT PETITIONED (PA.) WELLINGTON, July 3. “I engaged in a little experiment on the distillation of whisky and spirits in 1945 and was caught and fined £l5O. In view of the high alcoholic content of the distillate I have decided that, circumstances permitting, I shall again endeavour to distil and put spirits on the market under licence,” said Charles John Bax, of Kaiwarra, Wellington, petitioning the House of Representatives today for a licence to distil spirits. Bax said the Government analyst had reported that his samples were over 100 per cent, proof spirit and not of a nature injurious to health. Moreover, his product could be consumed immediately, whereas overseas spirits could not be consumed under three years.

Bax claimed that his product would be suitable for commercial and medicinal consumption, that shipping space could be saved, that a new industry could be started in New Zealand,- and that the country could save thousands of pounds sterling which was paid every year to overseas merchants.

Petitioner said the present licensing laws were framed in the days of Richard John Seddon. Some change should be permitted for the benefit and advancement of the country. Bax said all the ingredients of his product were produced in New Zealand and it was fantastic to be able to produce two gallons of overproof spirit from a bushel of grain and yet not be allowed to make it. A pig farm could be maintained from the residue, thus easing the shortage of bacon. The spent grain was far more valuable than that from breweries, as only the steam was taken off and the proteins retained. There would be no loss of duty, as it would be automatically paid on the output of plant whether operated as a private enterprise or under Government supervision.

“If it would please honourable gentlemen I am certain I could provide a considerable quantity of valuable debating material on the whole subject if given the opportunity to address Cabinet together with my counsel,” said Eax. “Moreover, if a sample should be required (which would take one month to produce) 1 am confident some consideration would be extended to me.”