AUSTRALIAN WINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21804, 19 May 1934, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN WINES

POPULAR IN AMERICA QUOTA SYSTEM ABANDONED " Australian wines are very popular in tlio United States and there should bo a large market for them," said Major M. E. Dunham, representative in New Zealand for Penfolds, Limited, who returned by the Mariposa yesterday after au extended tour through Canada and the United States. The liquor situation in America was in a very confused state. In a desire to control the import of wine and spirits a quota had been imposed. This had had the effect of restricting imports and so bringing about a marked fall in revenue. To remedy this, the United States Government had decided to abaudon the quota for four months, the period to extend from May 1 to August 31. During this time importers would be able to make arrangements that best suited them, and naturally there was a very marked activity in the trade at the present time. Nothing was known about the arrangements to be made after August 31. The duties on wines and spirits were still much too high for the development of a good trade, said Major Dunham. On spirits the duty was 8 dollars to the American gallon, on table and still wines it ranged from 3i to 4 dollars a case, and for champagnes and sparkling wines from 18 to 20 dollars a case. This naturally made for prohibitive prices by the time the liquor was purchased wholesale. In Canada the system was still one of Government permits, with light wines and beer on sale at specially licensed shops. The stronger liquor had to be purchased at the Government shops, and this trade had been a great revenue producer.