PRICES OF SPIRITS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28479, 8 January 1958, Page 8

PRICES OF SPIRITS

Rise Likely Soon

The price of a bottle of spirits may soon be dearer in Canterbury. Import restrictions have added a problem of supply and the Licensed Victuallers’ Association may revert to the standard ceiling price at present being charged in other parts of New Zealand.

Canterbury hotels have been selling whisky at 25s a bottle, while most other centres have been charging 30s. The Ashburton Licensing Trust also has decided to increase its spirits prices. Prices in . South Canterbury will be increased. Mr A. McGregor, president of the association in Christchurch, said last evening that the executive of the association had held a meeting to consider reverting to the standard price and the executive*! views would be handed on to association members. A price rise seemed unavoidable. "Ninety per cent, of the suppliers in Christchurch consider that if things go as they are now there will be no spirits next Christmas.••’<«&. only reason ,w®. a are reverting to normal is that we are attempting to keep our net profit level stable with a reduced turnover caused by the; restrictions, and other circumstances over which we have no control.” he said, Mr McGregor said that there would be a price rise on most spirits lines. Ashburton Prices In Ashburton, a new price list has been in force since Monday. Prices are now, whisky, 30s (old price 255); English gin, 25s (23s 6d); rum, 25s (23s Bd>; three star brandy, 25s (23s 6d); cognac, 42s 6d (39s 6d). Chartered clubs in the area will not sell spirits to take away. They have been greatly affected by the import restrictions because their supplies were low after Christmas. The Trust also has lowered stocks and case lots cannot be bought. A self-imposed ration has been placed on sales so that regular customers will still be able to have a reduced, but constant, supply. Regular customers are reported to have been told they will be able to buy up to three booties of spirits; casual customers one bottle.

"We did not anticipate this restriction,” the manager of one trust hotel told an Ashburton representative of “The Press” yesterday. The sale of spirits in the town would be in short supply for a long time, he said.