Drink prices to rise soon

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 4

Drink prices to rise soon

PA Wellington Spirit drinkers would pay about $3 more for standardsize bottles within the next week or two, said the managing director of New Zealand Wines and Spirits, Mr Devon Hern, yesterday. Sales tax increases after the Budget and increases in duty would appear as old stocks were cleared, he said. The increases of duty and sales tax pushed up the Government’s take on gin and vodka 22.2 per cent, and 21.6 per cent for other spirits. Consumers would pay about $2.50 more for standard 750 ml bottles of gin and vodka at "wholesale” liquor outlets and about $3 more for 750 ml bottles of whisky, brandy, and rum. Table wines would be up about 60c a bottle. Beer drinkers would pay about 20c more a dozen standard-strength 750 ml bottles in "wholesale” outlets, he said. For 375 ml bottles the cost would be about 18c more for two dozen. Extra-strength Steinlager export would cost $1.37 more for two dozen 375 ml bottles and low-strength Lion light ale would go down about $2.60 a dozen 750 ml bottles.