THE LIQUOR TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 16662, 19 February 1918, Page 6

THE LIQUOR TRADE

A serious PosrnoN. [Special to the ' SxAa.'] CHRISTCHURCH, February 19. , Inquiries made by a 'Sun' representative as to the effects of six o'clock closing elicited from hotel licensees that, great though the effect has'so far been, a very serious state of affairs is anticipated when the winter months come on. Actually the decrease in receipts, so far as the city hotels are concerned, is stated to be about 25 per cent. This is in spite of the 50 per cent, increase in the' price of spirits sold over the counter. Had it not been for the increase in the price of spirits the decrease in the takings would, of course, have been much more marked. Since the new regulation came into force thore have been large numbers of visitors in Christchurch, and the hotels have been, experiencing a very busy time so far as the house department is concerned. Had conditions been normal, a drop of much more than 25 per cent, would have been experienced. One unexpected effect of early closing, has been a drop in the bottle traTle. It was anticipated and freelv predicted that a prominent effect of the "6 o'clock closing would be a large increase in tho jug and bottle trade—that those who wished to drink 6 p.m. wa«ld bring along their ".square riggers" and other beer receptacles, and lay in a stock for the night. This has not occurred. On the contrary, an appreciable drop lias been experienced in this branch- of the business. Predictions as to what winter will bring are pessimistic. It is felt that as soon as the movement of tho people ceases and the ordinary winter routine sets in,- there will be a big diminution in the amount of drinking done. . So far a floating population has kept trade somewhat brisk, but when this source of revenue fails bad times are expected. THE POSITION LOCALLY. This morning a 'Star' reporter mado some inquiries locally as to the condition of the "bottle trade." The result was curious, but not illuminating, the opinions of the parties interviewed—based on their own experiences—differing considerably ; so much so, indeed, that it is not an easy matter even to strike an average. One wholesaler is of the opinion that the bottle trade has not undergone anv material change, and that the -falling off' (if 'any) in the publican's turnover is compensated for by the increased profit he has obtained since the introduction of the revised pricelist. Another,wholesaler declares that the bottle trade all round has increased considerably, not only in spirits, but in beer. That there has been no decrease in the consumption of alcohol he is certain. On the other_ hand, an hotelkeeper to whom the question was put was emphatic in declaring that drinking had decreased, adding that the bottle trade was nothing like it used to be in pre-war days. Still another expressed the opinion that home drinking was on the increase, and that the wholesalers and breweries were benefiting bv this development of the early-closing movement. Collating all the information gleaned, it might, perhaps, be said with a fair amount of _ certainty that people are not buying spirits to tho extent they did prior to* the big increase m prices. It is quite possible this " bumping up " of the cost by 25 to 40 per cent, to the consumer will prove a more potent factor in reducing the consumption of spirits than will 6 o'clock closing. Many moderate drinkers who liked to keep a decanter of whisky on their sideboards have ceased buying'it, considering that at 8s 6d to 9s 6d' a bottle it is too expensive a luxury. And once these people find they can get along just as well without their "nip" they are not likely to revert to it, even should the price come clown.