BAN ON RUM SALES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 6

BAN ON RUM SALES

FIRST CALL FOR ARMY SPIRITS IMPORTS A ban has been imposed by the Government on the sale of ail rum held by merchants in the Dominion. Ii was stated in Christchurch this week that the ban had been imposed for the benefit of the military authorities who will have first call on supplies. Stocks of rum in the Dominion at present are reported to be low and the imposition of the ban has led to some concern among merchants lest this should lead to the ban being extended to other spirits. Allocations in the sixth period for various spirits and wines have been restored from 50 to 100 per cent of the amounts of licenses granted for imports during 1940 or 1941. This advice is contained in a circular from the Customs Department received fay the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce.

Importation of spirits was restricted until June 30, 1940 to the value of spirits imported in 1938. On July 1, 1940, a 50 per cent restriction based on 1938 imports was imposed and that has been continued. Tfae latest announcement has the effect of overriding a proposed further reduction for 1942 announced a few months ago, whereby it was intended that only 50 per cent of the value granted in 1941 would be granted in the coming year. According to the notice received by the Chamber of Commerce the restoration applies to spirits and spirituous mixtures, all kinds of sparkling wines, and wine of any type containing more than 40 per cent of proof spirit.