RATIONED SUPPLIES

Evening Star, Issue 23743, 26 November 1940, Page 11

RATIONED SUPPLIES

WINES AND SPIRITS EFFECTS OF WAR ON BUSINESS Curious to relate, imports of wines arid spirits for the first nine months of this year do not, as yet, clearly reflect the restrictions placed on their import since such restrictions were operative in January, 1939. The position, as disclosed in returns of the Government Statistician, is as follows: m _,,

iows;—" * _ ~ Gallons. w Gallops Import*. 9 mos., 9 mos., 1939. 1940. Wines ... ... 69,649 112,389 Spirits 415,186 489,683 Total gallons 434,835 602,072

For the current year there are decreases in imports of brandy, gin, and some other spirits, but increases in rum, whisky, and wines. Even so, the necessity of husbanding all stocks in the country is fully realised by merchants and other distributors. In the north of the Dominion, for some time past, sales. of whisky have been confined to smaller quantities than usual, for instance, the half-bottle instead of the quart. When this matter was referred to Mr Percy Coyle, secretary of the National Council of the Licensed Trade, he admitted tjiat the stock position was day by .day becoming more difficult to deal with; and it would be more acute within the next few months.. The figures showed the imports as being near of 1938, but this was _ not a reliable indication of the position because of the fact that most of the licenses to import for 1940 had been used up already and some of the licenses for 1939 would be included in the imports for 1940, the .periods being run into one another. Next year, this would not be possible because all fourth period licenses required that the goods must be landed prior to January 1, 1941. VALUE, NOT VOLUME. It has .to be borne in mind that the import licenses are for value, not volume of wines and spirits. This makes a great difference, because it means that instead of the “ cut ” being 50 per cent, (as it is in value) it is nearer 25 per cent., in volume, accounted for by the increase in the free on board price of the article; increases in freight charges, marine insurances, handling, and other charges that the goods have to bear before landing in New Zealand. Mr Coyle mentioned instances ■of advances in price—at the ■ distillery—amounting to 9J per cent. As to imports of wines, Australia and South Africa can still supply; Portugal (port) can ship with promptitude; Spain (sherry) is able to supply, but shippingis reported as extremely difficult. Wines from France (including champagne), claret, burgundy, sauterne, and other table wines are unobtainable, so, too, are the wines of Italy and the Rhine; also French and Italian vermuth. _ However, the New Zealand import license comes into the picture, for such permits to import wines are limited to 50 per cent, of the value—not quantity or volume—of the year 1938; and in *ny case champagne is totally barred.

On the. face, of the facts, .and figures available it would appear, that - New Zealand will have to take care of what wines it has in its cellars or bins; replenishments on any generous scale appear to be most unlikely in the present circumstances. Of course there are New Zealand wines, but these have an appeal and a market of their own. Reverting to spirits, rationing appears to be inevitable. Licenses to import were granted for the third period, Jariuary-June, 1939, on value of imports, as stated, during the first six months of 1938; for the fourth period, July-December, 1939, licenses were granted for 50 per cent, (value) of the imports during the same period of 1938; for the fifth period, January-December, 1941, licenses are being granted for 50 per cent, of spirits from the United Kingdom, and British dominions and for 50 per cent, of the value of the brandy that had been imported from France during 1938; and licenses to import brandy from France can be utilised to import that spirit from the British dominions. No licenses, however, are being granted to import other foreign spirits that were imported in 1938, and among these loomed largely Dutch gin or Hollands, the value of which in 1938 amounted to 46,000 gallons, all from the Netherlands; but it is not allowed to transfer licenses to import from the Netherlands to cover imports of Hollands gin from Canada, where it is distilled. SUPPLIES OF BRANDY. As to brandy, formerly one of the leading exports of France to New Zealand, recourse will now have to be had to Australia and South Africa. The New Zealand market is not so familiar witli South African brandy as with the Australian article; but it may be mentioned that what is said to be the largest shipment of brandy due to arrive in Wellington in one ship from any quarter will be the produce of South Africa.