RECORD LIQUOR BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1921, Page 4

RECORD LIQUOR BILL

NEW SOUTH WALES TOTAL. It is estimated by the New South Wales Government Statistician (Mr H. A. Smith) that in New South Wales during the year ended June 30th, 1920, the sum of 010,251,00 was expended in the consumption of intoxicating liquor. The total is about 02,976,000 greater than the total for the previous year, and the amount per head of population is about 01 7s 3d more. Between 1913 (the year before the commencement of the war) and 1916-17, the consumption of intoxicants decreased, and the prices increased each year. In 1916-17 the decreased consumption offset the increased prices and caused a reduction in the total drink bill. Prices continued to increase during 1917-18 and 1913-19, but in each year there was an increase in the quantity of beer and wine consumed, and ;i decrease in the consumption of spirits, also in each year the aggregate expenditure on intoxicants increased.

The imposition of the new tariff in March, 1920, caused a further rise in pTices. Nevertheless, there was a noticeable increase in the consumption, and the drink bill was the highest on record.

Apparent reasons for the increased consumption are the return of the soldiers from overseas and the general increase in wages among the community. "But, although there was a large increase in consumption,” says the Statistician, "it should not be assumed that the average consumption was abnormally large. In fact, it now approximates closely to the average consumption in 1913, the principal difference being that there is a reduced consumption of imported spirits and beer and an increased consumption of local beer and wine.