New Zealand's Drink Bill.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5004, 11 May 1889, Page 2

New Zealand's Drink Bill.

We notice an article in the Temperance Herald, from the pen of Mr 0. M. Gray, the veteran champion of temperance, or, more strictly speaking, of total abstinence from the use of intoxicating liquors. He shows that through a course of years there has been a steady diminution in New Zealand’s drink bill. For the financial jear ended March 31st, 1889, the figui’es were:—

The gross totals and values in previous years, from 1882, were as follows

Thus, last year there was a decrease in consumption, as compared with that of the previous year, of 92,867 gallons, valued at £19,642. But the falling off in the seven years given in the table is very substantial. The difference between the drink bill of 1882 and that of 18$8 amounts to 1,279,985 gallons, valued at £617,191. The decrease is the more remarkable on account of the increase of population since 1882. Last year’s New Zealand drink bill was, per head of the population, £3 2s 10£d, and the colony therefore shows well in a comparison with Yictoria, New South Wales, and the United Kingdom, the figures being:—

The lessened spending power of the people to some extent accounts for the diminution of the drink bill, but it cannot all be attributed to that cause. The temperance organisations have worked very hard, and to their untiring exertions must be credited a fair proportion of the improvement; and there appears to be some ground for hoping that, apart altogether from the influence of the temperance organ!* sations, sounder views regarding the evils of excessive drinking are beginning to prevail. But the drink bill is still a very long one, and might with great advantage be cut down enormously.

Quantity, Value, Spirits . 469,938gal, at 40s £939,876 Wines 10I,838gal, at 40s 203,676 English ale .. . 268,391gal, at 6s 80,517 Colonialbeer.. . 4,084,160gal, at 43 816,832 4,924,327gal £2,040,901

Quantity. Value./ 1882 ... 6,204,312gal .£2,658,092 1883 ... 5,678,860gal 2,497.754 1881 ... 5,541,452gal 2.394,176 1885 ... 5,475,762gal 2,289,513 1886 ... 5,103,333gal 2,130,356 1887 ... 5,017,194gal 2,060,543 1888 ... 4,924,327gal 2,040,901

Victoria ... .. <£5 5 0 New South Wales 4 19 0 United Kingdom 3 6 8 New Zealand ... 3 2 10*