WINE PROSECUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19714, 13 August 1927, Page 14

WINE PROSECUTIONS.

CHARGES AGAINST DEALERS.

PROOF-SPIRIT PERCENTAGE

"AN ANOMALY IN THE ACT."

A variety of charges was preferred against Gordon Black, of Dominion Wines, Ltd. (Mr. Lcary), in the Police Court yesterday. In regard to charges of selling wino containing more than 20 per cent, of proof spirit and of adding imported wines to the New Zealand product, Mr. Lcary said the Legislature permitted a wine manufacturer to make wine containing up to 40 pet cent of proof spirit, hut would not permit retailers to sell it. Defendant found it impossible to obtain from wholesalers wino complying with the standard. By adding foreign wines t ; the New Zealand product defendant was improving and not injuring it. There was no suggestion that an inferior product had been added. Defendant's retail wineselling licence was one of four "f this type, now existing in the Dominion and a conviction against him would lie ser-

The magistrate, Mr. McKcan, said there was an anomaly in the Act in regard to the percentage of proof spirit permitted. He would be reluctant to impose a penalty and would reserve his decision. A charge of not having the name of the hcencee and the nature of the licence pointed on the door was described by the magistrate as trivial, and defendant was ordered to pay costs. Defendant was also*charged with employing unregistered barmaids. Mr. Lcary said the women were shareholders m the business. and sisters-in-law of the licencee. The licence would shortly be transferred to a brother of the barmaids, and no offence would then be committed. Deiendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs on this charge also.

A wholesale wine-dealer, Thomas lloss, was charged with being in possession of labels not bearing the name ot the bottler Mr. Lcary said the labels were not misleading, as the name ot the Colonial Wine and Spirit Company was printed on them. Further ,the labels were not in the possession of defendant, bu' of the company The magistrate dismissed the charges.