WINE INDUSTRY DANGER

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1934, Page 5

WINE INDUSTRY DANGER

FRENCH PROTEST AT NAMES GRAVE FEARS IN AUSTRALIA . SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN FIGHT TO RETAIN RIGHT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, April 17. With respect to French attempts to deprive Australian producers of the right to use generic descriptive names for wines, such as hock, Burgundy, claret, port and sherry, the Daily Express says it is understood that the British Government has decided to stand by Australia in the fight to retain the right to label wines with names like those mentioned. It describes France’s attitude as a threat to Australia’s £20,000,000 wine industry. A Board of Trade official says that so long as the place of origin is clearly stated it cannot interfere with the present practice. Mr. Panton, of the Australian High Commissioner’s office, when interviewed 'said: “France had nothing to say when she was the principal wine exporter. Now that Australia is a serious competitor she has suddenly become virtuous. Neither the Australian ( High Commissioner nor the industry was consulted before the text of the proposals were drawn. We are still being left completely in the dark. If Australian wines are reduced to typelessness a death blow will be struck at our oldest industry.”