LIQUOR INDUSTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1945, Page 3

LIQUOR INDUSTRY

REHABILITATION PROSPECTS WELLINGTON, March 20. A request that the Royal Commission on Licensing should, in its findings and recommendations, recognise the claims of and safeguard the interests of former servicemen to the fullest extent compatible with general public interest, was made by the Director of Rehabilitation (Mr. F. Baker), giving evidence before the commission to-day. He said a number •of servicemen, formerly in- the licensed trade, would find it extremely difficult to re-establish themselves in the industry on their discharge if they were required to pay exorbitant prices for the purchase of licences. Assuming private ownership was to be continued, it was asked that the commission recommend that some provision no less favourable to discharged servicement than the provisions of the Transport Licences Emergency Regulations be included in any legislation brought down. In the opinion of the Rehabilitation Board, it would be necessary ultimately to make provision for the settlement on the land of not less than 5000 to 6000 returned men, said Mr. Baker, discussing the possibilities in the wine and brandy industries. A preliminary survey recently undertaken showed that only approximately 2000 economic sheep or dairy farms could be obtained. by the subdivision of existing farms, more or less fully improved. Assuming that the owners would be desirous of retaining sufficient land for their own economic needs, the board was I herefore forced to the conclusion that if it were to make adequate provision for the settlement of returned men who were land-minded, there were only two alternatives: (a) development of unimproved land for ultimate settlement as sheep or dairy farms (the scope here was not unlimited, as a great bulk of suitable farming land in the Dominion was already in production, though admittedly in varying stages); (b) the education of returned servicemen farm applicants away from the staple products of meat, wool, and butter-fat into more diversified types of farming or agriculture which would yield a satisfactory standard of living from a much smaller area. In view of the acute shortage of materials—notably fertiliser, fencing wire., piping, and building requisites—ho immediate start could be made with large-scale land development at present, and the board was therefore concentrating on investigations of an alternative form of settlement mentioned in the second proposal. If expert opinion established to the satisfaction of the commission that New Zealand could grow grapes of suitable quality in sufficient quantity to cope with the whole of the local wine demand, it was submitted that to protect the local grower and manufacturer, imports should be restricted to ‘ wines required for blending purposes. Also that a system of licensing of growers and manufacturers should be adopted to avoid wasteful competition and possible financial disaster for those involved. A system of licensing would also enable'former servicemen to be considered for the preference to which the board considered they were entitled. The establishment of central wineries would open up a field for the rehabilitation of former service- ' men, who would, of course, have to be provided with the requisite technical training. The board would be prepared to assist financially in providing this training. It was urged that the commission give consideration to recommending a change in the policy to permit the distillation of brandy in New Zealand. In addition to the present fortifying spirits for wines, the manufacture of brandy in New Zealand would open up an entirely new field of employment, and it was submitted that this should be reserved, as far as possible, for former servicemen. The board would be prepared to assist former servicemen financially to obtain the necessary specialised training and would consider granting financial assistance to groups of returned men after they have been trained. x V “The board is interested in the establishment of distilleries in New Zealand for the production of whisky, gin, and industrial alcohol, and suggests that this receive the consideration of the commission,” said Mr. Baker. “From a preliminary survey it appears that if such proposals were brought into operation, there would be a considerable opportunity for the rehabilitation of former servicemen.”