MARKETS LOST

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1940, Page 10

MARKETS LOST

AUSTRALIAN WINE. SYDNEY September 9. To save the wine’ industry from collapse, the Federal Viticultural Council of Australia will press for an alteration of the liquor taws to enable reputable restaurants to serve light wines with meals. The idea oi the council is the open-air cafe—modelled on Continental lines, where light wines can be served with as much freedom as tea and coffee is served to-da’y. The war has created a serious problem for the wine industry. Wine does not appear on the list of priority of essential imports to Britain, and it is difficult to get shipping space. Thousands of gallons are waiting to be shipped. “If the wine-makers cannot get rid of their stocks, they will simply refuse to take grapes at the next harvest,” said Mr. C. S. Panton, secretary of the Viticultural Council. “They can’t go on making wine if they can’t sell it. If this happens, the grape-growers will suffer, and they include many returned soldiers. The Government will be forced to come to the assistance of the growers. n Mr. Panton said that the “next grape harvest would begin in January. Vignerons had until then to clear their export stocks.