ADULTERATED WINE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1196, 3 August 1911, Page 5

ADULTERATED WINE.

—-— ~+- SERIOUS STATE OP AFFAIRS REPORTED. (By Tclezrapb.-SDCcial Correspondent.! Auckland, August 2. As regards the information laid bofore tho Acting-Minister for Justice (the -Hon. G. Fowlcls) by an Auckland deputation yesterday in reference to the alleged salo of adulterated ' wine in the North Auckland district, inquiries were made by a "Star" reporter .this; .morning. The Rev. Wm. Brown Guymcr- is one of those who have taken an "active part in bringing the matter under the notice of the Government. ■ In a recent, letter lo tho Minister for Justice he pointed out that tho traffic in adulterated wine is the greatest cursb to the Maori neople, and to the pakeha as well. The wine is now being illegally sold, he states,- by n band of Austrians, and .they distribute about 300 gallons weekly. It is called grape wino, but they sell a hundred times the quantity of liquor- that the grapes grown could possibly produce, and there is not the slightest doubt that it is manufactured mainly from vcTy strong chemicals. "Could you but get a glimpse of the horrors perpetrated," continues Mr. Brown Guymer, ''the gross immoralities committed, carousals and drunken orgies, you would stand aghast. Tho wine may legally be sold in quantities of not less than two gallons at 10s. per gallon,; and the by-law is regarded as quite a farce." A member of the Trade spoken to in regard to the matter said that licensees in the north had'also complained to the police, and were strongly of the opinion that something should be done to put a istop to the sale of adulterated wine. The liquor, adulterated up to 60.and 70 per cent, by methylated or other cheap spirits, was "carted round the country, and sold' at all hours on every day in tho week, Sundays included, to. Maoris as well as Europeans. Bush settlements were periodically visited, and the results had not boen exaggerated. Hotels in tho district were compelled to observe the restrictions of the law, and willingly did so, but there appeared to be absolutely no restriction on the sale of adulterated wine..

The legitimate wine-growers in the north are, it is stated, equally anxious that ininiediate steps should be taken to protect the industry. Inspector Cullen, seen by a "Star" representative this morning, said that the Ecv. Brown Guymer's statements were sulwtantially correct. He had visited tho district early last month, and, after investigation, had reported to the Justice Department that the evil was a serious one, and that there was urgent necessity for an amendment to the existing legislation. There were sufficient police in the districts concerned to maintain order and put a stop to the pernicious practice, but the law as it is at present applied left them with tied hands so far as the sale of wine in quantities exceeding two gallons was concerned, and wider powers would have- to be given tho police before anything effectual could be done in the matter.