SALE OF GIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23708, 15 July 1940, Page 9

SALE OF GIN

RESTRICTIONS RULE THE SUPPLY OF SPIRITS Many Auckland hotels will not now sell gin by tlje bottle over the counter, restricting sales to tho measured nip. 'lhe stock position of gin is apparently much poorer than that of other spirits, all of which are now affected by the 50 per cent reduction imposed on fourth period imports. However, as yet, fourth period shipments of .spirits have not come to hand, and in the case of gin it is obvious importations will now be practically confined to the dry class, which is chiefly manufactured in England. Holland, the chief supplier of square gin, of course, is off the market, and local stocks, described as very low, will in due course be exhausted.

Fresh supplies of some brands of whisky under third period licences recently arrived in Auckland and, in view of the reduced rate of replenishment that will now rule, the utmost care is being exercised by merchants to constrve stocks. Bestrictions do not appear to operate in hotels. Stocks of Spanish wines, including sherries, are described as very short. Shipments of these generally are drawn from London-held stocks, but the landed cost is very much heavier than from Australia. So Australia is now the chief supplier.