Big Imports Of Wines And Spirits Since War

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28606, 7 June 1958, Page 12

Big Imports Of Wines And Spirits Since War

Since World War II ended, sufficient liquor and wine have been imported to New Zealand to float seven ships of the size of the steamer express Hinetnoa.

More than ‘15,000,000 gallons have been imported since 1946, more than one-third being whisky, with gin and wines next in quantity.

And now, according to the trade, the liquor tide has ebbed almost to low. Although imports of whisky, gin, brandy, rum and other spirits and liqueurs were greater last year than the average of importations since 1953, a wide range of spirits has disappeared from the shelves of hotel bars and bottle stores and some merchants are informing their customers that whisky is not available for sale, as they have no stocks and the supply situation is parlous. With licences of only 40 per cent, of 1956 values being issued under the import control system, importers of .spirits and wines are not in a happy position. The total value of the imports in 1953 was higher than last year; that is their one consolation. With values based on the current domestic values in the countries of origin, £2,252,921'was the value of spirits and wines imported last year, compared with £2,480,311 in 1956, the year on which imports for 1958 are based. Indeed, more whisky was imported in 1956 than in any other year in the history of 1 New Zealand. The imports were 975,429 gallons, at a* price in Scotland of £1 17s a gallon, or 6s 2d a bottle. In 1939. after whi®h imports dropped sharply,, whisky imports were 306,144 gallons, costing £1 6s a gallon, or 4s 4d a bottle. Stocks Held Back But whisky supplies were not shut off when import licensing was announced last January. In that month, 88,812 gallons were landed and more was on the water or ordered before licensing was announced. The January importation was, on a monthly average, higher than that in 1956 and was 30 per cent, higher than the average for 1957. Since 1946, whisky importations rose from 166.108 gallons to 811.369 gallons last year, dropping from the 1956 peak. One hotel in Christchurch was reported last year to have whisky stocks worth £4OOO above its usual . monthly purchases: but once import licensing was announced. regular customers have been unable to buy a bottle. Most of the whisky was pur-chased-last year by hotels at £1 0s 7d a, bottle, less trade discount. Hotels in Christchurch were in strong competition and sold any quantity at 25s a bottle, after all but three hotels had sold at 30s a bottle. Selling by the nip gave the hotels a handsome return. With the regulation measure of 42 nips to the bottle, the gross return was £2 2s a bottle. Customers in lounges gave a return of £2 15s a bottle. Gin and Brandy Gin is second to whisky as the popular spirit in New Zealand. In 1956, 267,708 gallons were imported and in 1957 283,621 gallons. The figures for earlier years were:—l946, 101,925; 1951, 554,232; 1952, 521,916; 1953, 216,191; 1954, 240.147; 1955, 292,161. The expenditure in the countries from which gin came was £325,181 in 1956 and £349,221 last year, or £1 4s a gallon. On a 1956 basis for importing, New Zealand should have only 6 per cent, less gin imported than last year, when it was freely available wholesale, in bottle stores and bars. Brandy is third pn the list of spirit imports and it has had the greatest fluctuations in importations since the war ended. In 1952, more brandy than whisky was imported. Amounts of brandy landed in New Zealand have been:—l9s3, 153,397 gallons; 1954, 148,854; 1955, 168,455; 1956. 162,330; 1957, 151,603. The value in 1956 was £226,115 and in 1957

| £ 224,565, or £ 1 9s 3d a gallon in the countries of origin. Rum is the least popular of importeu drinks. Imports in 1956 were comparatively low at 25,934 gallons, the imports last year being 39,670 gallons bought for £61,377, against £37,292 for 25,934 gallons in 1956. • i And for other spirits and liqueurs, 1956 was a year of record imports, 49,095 gallons: More expensive “other spirits” were imported last year. The 1956 value was £84,463.

The amount of wines imported since the war ended is below only gin and whisky. In 1956, 242,889 gallons were imported, and last year 275,449 gallons. Steps to projnote the wine industry in New Zealand have been proposed and the industry is in a position to meet any demand heightened by the reduction in imports to 25 per cent, of 1956 importations.