WAR SHORTAGES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21551, 2 November 1944, Page 6

WAR SHORTAGES

TOBACCO AND DRINKS POSITION IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY. Oct. 23. New Zealanders who have complained about the wartime weakness of beer, the absence of spirits, and the shortage of cigarettes and tobacco know not how well they have fared in comparison with their Australian brethren. It is said the position here is much better than it was, but it is still much worse than it ever has been in the Dominion. For the Australian smoker or drinker, life in the recent war years has been essentially austere.

Beer is definitely rationed. Each hotelkeeper gets a certain periodical allocation which is altogether inadequate for normal demands. So he in turn rations it out daily. The selfimposed ration may be sufficient for two hours’ trading; after that ho will not sell a drop. By law. he must keep his bar open from 2 p.m. to G p.m., but he is not obliged to trade, and often there is no one behind the counter. A curious position arises. Few hotels in the same locality make their ration available at the same time. He who thirsts must therefore know his hotels if he wants to be sure of a drink. He is also at a double advantage if he is a “regular” and knows the barmaid. It is said that some gentlemen who like their liquor more than others have a definite daily time-table mapped out. They know, for instance, where they can get a drink at 11 a.m., at noon, at 1 p.m.. and so on. and set a course accordingly. Spirits are in better supply than m the Dominion, and can often be had when beer is not available. Australian wine is also plentiful, although the price is surprisingly high for a local product. . Even the regular customer is lucky to get cigarettes when he wants them. There is no shortage of leaf, but it is simply a man-power question. Australian cigarettes, generally speaking, are Id dearer for a packet of 10 than in New Zealand, they are smaller, and much inferior in quality. New Zealand cigarettes are highly prized.