THE LIQUOR TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3347, 8 May 1918, Page 24

THE LIQUOR TRADE.

STATE CONTROL. LONDON, May 5. The English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish Liquor Trade Finance Committees, while avoiding questions of policy, propose definite terms for State purchase of the trade for a "voss total of over £400,000,000, but substantially "less than £500,000,000. The committees do not contemplate that the purchase can be carried out until after the war, but the State could take control ot the trade earlier by giving a pledge ot ultimate purchase, after which the State ■would be free to reorganise and consolidate the trade at will. The English committee considers the inclusion of English wholesale dealers unnecessary, as they deal so largely in foreign wines and spirits. The four committees agree to the inclusion of the export trade, but would exclude a majority of hotels, clubs, railway refreshment rooms, theatre bars, steamer bars, dining cars, also the allied trade. The four committees recommend the purchase vf the following interests: — First, the breweries and distilleries, including their premises; second, the free houses; third, the interests of on-license and off-license holders. The English committee recommends the issue of special Government stock for payment. The trade should be bought out on the basis of the profit it was capable of earning before the war, capitalised on a pre-wais.basis; but the amount should be written doirn to the standard of capital \alues at the time the purchase is completed. , ■ The English committee recommends that the breweries be acquired on a 15-years' purchase, based on the net profits for the four years 1910-13. Scotland's recommendation is that the breweries be taken on an eight-years' purchase, based on the profits for the years recommendation is that the. breweries be bought on a 13-years' purchase, based on the profits for the five years immediately before the war. The Irish committee recommends that, in default of State purchase, Irish licenses should be reduced by at least one-half, with compensation. The English committee estimates the total cost "for England at £350,000,000; the Scottish committee at £61,000,000 for Scotland: but the Irish committee does not furnish any estimate of the cost for Ireland. ANTI-SHOUTING. The progress report of the Commonwealth Senate Committee inquiring into the effect of intoxicating liquors on soldiers, recommends the introduction of an Anti-shouting Act on the New Zealand lines, the issue of a distinguishing badge tor returned soldiers who are invalids, and legislation prohibiting hotelkeepers from supplying drink to returned soldiers who are under medical treatment.