NEW ZEALAND DRINK BILL

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1914, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND DRINK BILL

FIGURES FOR 1913

."The drink bill for the Dominion for the year 1913" (states the compiler, Mr A. S. Adams) *' 'is based! upon the Customs returns of liquor cleared for consumption, and beer manufactured in the Dominion. The basis of valuation is that adopted for many years past. It is suggested that it is in some respects too high, but it has been thought that, as the figures for previous years have been calculated irt the same manner, a change is.not desirable. To adot)t a new basis would lead to serious errors in comparison. It is probable that the cost of the liquor to the actual consumer is more than the figures "i show. The period covered .is from i Ist January bo 31st December. There! is an increase in the total consump- j tion of spirits and beer, but it is satisfactory to note . that the consumption per head of population shows a decrease of lljd.'" 5 The figures follow: —

Spirits^ 876,769 gallons, at £2 per gallon, £1,753,538; increase, 12,973 gallons.

147,056 gallons, at £2 per gallon, £294,112; decrease, 6560r gallons. •

■ Imported Beer: 299,210 gallons, atfe^er gatfon, £89,763; increase, 2830 gallons.

i/v^ ro-? rcw,1 d in New Zealand: JSffi 0% Z*lhriS> at 4s per gallon, £2,000,240; increase, 214,080 gallons' Total £4,137,653. Total'for the £56 4Ql' £4 >08U62; increase,

■.Estimated mean ' population for; 1913, 1,063,645; Maoris, 49,844. lotal, 1,118,489; estimated increase ,m population, 29,670 ' Cost of liquor per head: 3913, £3 Ms; 1912, £3 14s ll^d; decrease, lljd.

The quantities of different liquors consumed per head of population, work out •as imder:.. Spirits, .78 gallons; v/inos, '. 131 gallons; beer,. 9.209 gallons.