QUOTA RESTRICTING SALES OF N.Z. WINES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 6

QUOTA RESTRICTING SALES OF N.Z. WINES

(New Zealand Press Association)

ROTORUA, Sept. 11. The sale of New Zealand wines was at present restricted by wholesale wine and spirit merchants, being on a quota from the major growers, said Mr A. W. McGill, of Rotorua, president of the Wholesale Wine and Spirit Mer-hants’ Federation today. He was addressing the annual conference of the federation in Rotorua. Mr McGill said his federation had complete confidence in the New Zealand w’ne industry. “Our support is shown by the figures of the 195 fl Board of Trade survey when evidence showed merchants sold 96 per cent, of New Zealand wines in their wine sales. This figure is now

greater but is restricted because we are on a quota from the, major growers,”• he said. Mr McGill said as each £1 the wine and spirit merchants used in imports directly returned £3 to the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) “we should, in all fairness, retain our place in the scheme of importing.” Although there had been relief in the tax on cigarettes and tobacco, beer, and motor spirits since the Budget of 1958, there had been no easing on the tax on spirits. The Budget had cost the merchants £BOO,OOO in extra working capital. “On that £BOO,OOO we have not received one pennypiece of profit, but rather our percentage of profit was reduced,” said Mr Me' ill.