WHISKY DISTILLERIES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16923, 11 April 1929, Page 10

WHISKY DISTILLERIES

INCREASE IN AUSTRALIA The preferential duty of 9s per gallon which lias been imposed by the Australian Government in favor of spirituous liquors manufactured locally is having the effect of increasing the distillery business in the Commonwealth," writes an Auckland correspondent. Air. W. 11. Ross, chairman and managing director of one, of the largest firms of distillers in Scotland, is on bis homeward voyage by the Niagara after having spent six weeks in Australia for the purpose of opening on behalf of his firm and certain Australian inteiests a distillery in Geelong. Victoria, under tile direction of a. board which is entirely Australian. The new venture was launched last month. “Conditions in Australia,’’ said Air. itoss, “are favorable for making a good whisky, though naturally not of the same quality as Scotch whisky. The difference in water and other essentials accounts for that.” An interesting statement which Air. Ross made was to the effect that his firm was also interested in a distillery in Queensland for the manufacture of power alcohol for use as motor fuel. He said they were working in conjunction with one of the lug petrol companies which was marketing their product. The interesting thing about power alcohol was that in Queensland it was being made from molasses and oilier refuse from sugar cane which was formerly regarded as a waste product. Power alcohol was being used as a mixture with petrol for motor ears aiid all classes of combustion engine. It improved the quality of petrol, and there appeared to be a. big future for the industry.