LESS WHISKY DRUNK

Taranaki Daily News, 8 August 1930, Page 7

LESS WHISKY DRUNK

AUSTRALIANS’ LOST HABIT. , ; CHANGE TO 'BEER -DRINKING*.' ’ - Sydney, July 21.. It is possible for a Budget, or a sue* cession or Budgets to change the habits of a nation, particularly whep l the Budget is of the type recently foisted..on . Australia. For many years it has been the habit of countless Australians to . drink whisky. Now they have, turned to beer for - the simple . reason that heavy duties have placed whisky; beyond the reach.of the man with a moderate ~ Quietly, but persistently, a big effort is b n in" made .to.. induce the Federal Government to take .off some of the heavy duties on whisky which have Been* imposed since November. Before that the duties were heavy enough to. make a “nip” a luxury. Now the price to many is almost prohibitive, bull, a slight hope is being held out to lovers ■ . of their “Scotch” that the price will soon be reduced. It is believed that even tho slight hope may. be - false/ if ;tho price is to depend upon a reduction Of the duties. ’ ' . . er Figures given to the -Minister of Customs the other da}/ showed that the consumption of whisky in Australia had fallen about one-third. It was argued , - that the high duties were therefore defeating their object. It had been stated that people would not have whisky at any price, and unless the price could be brought within reason .the importation would slacken away enormously aiid the return from duty at the higher rates would be less than it was a the lower rate. It did not appear as ... though the Minister was greatly impressed by the sorrowful picture of whiskv drinkers • turning to wholesome Australian beer. If he were impressed he did not say eo. He merely promised do refer tho matter to his Cabinet. Ho might have said his unsympathetic Cabinet, and then not been far off the ma k. Still, tho hotel-keepers and otheis in terested in the trade have parnted for the delectation of the Cabinet an allurhjw picture of money flowing uuo tho Treasury as a result of a larger consumption of liquor. It is the sort of picture that may bring about a change. And then, again, it i my not. ;