Increase in Price of Spirits

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7294, 2 August 1930, Page 10

Increase in Price of Spirits

BEEE DUTY NOT PASSED ON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July .11. Tko new spirits price list in Wellington and district will be issued to* morrow and "will conic into operation forthwith. Case spirits will advance Is (id per- bottle. There' will be no change in the prise .of draught spirits. The increase on the-bear duty will have no effect on retail prices. Mr P. Coyle, . official representative of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, made the-above statement to-day, adding that smaller bottles of caso spirits would-advance in proportion. Representations have been made to the Government pointing out that investigation had indicated that the recent increase in .the duty is not likely to have the effect of ■ increasing the revenue. In-the event of any modification of tho tariff proposals respecting liquor The- trade will bo only too pleased? 16 give the public, the benefit of any reduction. Asked if. the leading.. Scotch whisky firms were likely to establish branches in New Zealand for bottling purposes similar to those established in Australia, Mr Covlc said lie was not in a position to state the intentions of the linns concerned. Referring to'tho beer duty Mr Coyle said tho Budget estimated the revenue lor the current year at £615,000 against £(322,935 last year, a decrease of' nearly £SOOO: 1 Practically four months' of'the ifhmnciab-year had gone in -which .the .old-duly din'd-'operated. If last year’s output wevs-dhaintained the increase of .a halfpenny it gallon would produce £27,000 ■ approximately. On the face of those figures either the Minister was auteipat.ing a lean period or was budgeting for a surplus, said Mr Co vie.