The Waipawa Mail, Published Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tuesday, April 21, 1908. WHISKY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5249, 21 April 1908, Page 2

The Waipawa Mail, Published Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tuesday, April 21, 1908. WHISKY.

A Royal Commission was recently appointed by the British Government to inquire into the whisky businoss. And New Zealand as an important consumer of the spirit so-called will be deeply interested in tho finding. The Commission is an influential one, with Lord James of Hereford at its head, and includes several medical men and scientists of standing. It has been asked to inquire whether, in tho interost of the oonsumer, or in tho interest of the publio health, it was desirable

(a) To placo restrictions upon tho materials or the processes which may be used in the manufacture or preparation in the United Kingdom of Scotch whisky, Irish whisky, or any spirit to which the term whisky may be applied as a trade description ; (b) To require declarations to be made as to the materials, processes of manufacture or preparation, or age of any such spirit:—

(c) To require a minimum period during which any such spirit should be matured in bond ; and

(d) To extend any requirements of the kind mentioned in the two subdivisions immediately preceding, to any such spirit imported into the United Kingdom.

And if it is found to be so desirable the Commission is asked to stato by what means it considers such restrictions, declarations, or period proscribed in uniform practice may bo satisfactorily secured. Most of tho whisky produced in tho United Kingdom is tho product of Scottish distillerios. Those in tho old days utilised malt as their chief raw material, but latterly maize imported from the United States has become more fashionable. The output has of late been enormous, last year alone amounting to nearly 25 millions of gallons, or about one million gallons in excess of deliveries, thus bringing stocks up to nearly 119 millions of gallons, or four and a half years’ supply. The industry has not of late beon particularly profitable, ospeoially for thoso engaged in distilling malt. Whether this had led to adulteration or not the Royal Commission will, when it has concluded its labours, probably decide. In this Dominion there are measures for protecting the public from tho ill consequences of indulging in inferior spirit. Whether these powers have in tho past been exorcised as freely as they should havo been in the interests of the health of tho community is open to question. There is no doubt that much low-quality spirit goes into consumption, and the very fact of the British Government considering it necessary to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the whisky trade should make the authorities here especially watchful. Good liquor may be detrimental—bad liquor certainly is. This is a point that cannot be made with too much emphasis.

There are some who believe that New Zealanders would do better if they partook in larger quantities of the wines of the country, and left spirits for those resident in colder climes. This may be so, but wo must legislate for things as we find them, not as they ideally should be. And the fact remains that New Zealanders for the most part asohew wine for whisky. Recognising that this is so, no attempt should be left unmade by those upon whom the responsibility falls to see that those asking for whisky not only get what they ask for, but also get it of good quality,- for after all tho prime corl of any spirit is small when the duty is left out of account.

News and Notes will b» fouud ou the first page. Tha reading matter ou tho fourth page consists of partioulars of the Cleveland Holooaust and an article “A Hilda Aw-kening.”

Th« ra were largo >ns in the various churches on Easter when appropriate services were hold. It is rumoured that a serious row occurred ut a m il At Wakanr-i, yostord»y, during which a mitt was struck over tho head with an axe.

Si me queer things are done in tho country, a North Inland exchange observes. The youths of Opuoake held a foot bull club meeting roeently in the lock up.

Many local residents will regret to hour of the death, which ocourud at the Napier Hospital, this m ruing, of Mr Otto Breuer, second sou of the late Mr A. Breuer, at the early age of 25 yi-a-s.

Reports from Hokitika state that an unprecedented stock of upplos has been grown throughout that district this Boa Hon. It is recorded that somo specimens of the fruit exceed one pound each in weight. The Daily News says that Taranaki dairy factories ate storing the bulk of their output, presumably for local consumption. Ovor a thousand boxes have beou placed in cool store at tho Moturoa works during tho past week or so.

The annual examination of the Sabbath schools of the Presbyterian Church of Now Zofdand will bo hold this year on 10th July. A few days later an essuy will be sot for middle and senior scholars ou “ Tho life of tho Apostle Peter." The accommodation in Wuipawa was severely taxed during Easter. A large number of visitors passed a few days seeing their friends, while many from the surrounding districts spout their holiday here. On the other hand, a great many residents left by rail for Napier and Wellington. Recently two Burnham hoys robbed an old lady of £5. The nows reached tho school, and the staff and the boys made up for tHe act of their erring comrades, and proved (says the Lyttelton Times) that everyone at Burnham is not bud, by subscribing the amount, and tho old lady, who is a widow, was recompensed.

A rather amusing and unusual incident took place in one of the local ohurohes on Sunday, says the Wairurapa Daily News. A worshipper, when the plate came round, dropped two shillings into it. The collector was moving off, when tho donor whispered, “ Stop a bit; I haven’t got ray change ! ” and took back eighteonpeuce.

The characters in “ Betsy ” which tho Waipawa Dramatic Club iuteud staging, have been allotted as follows -Dick Talbot, Mr Peters;-Mr Birkett, Mr Whittington; Adolphus, Mr Brewer; Dawson, Dr. Hoed; McManus, Mr Rhind; Mrs Birkett, Miss Eooleton; Mrs McManus, Miss L. Eooleton; Madame Polenta, Miss Oorekie; Nelly Bassett, Miss Furness; Clara Peyton Miss Turton ; Betsy, Miss Bright. During the Hon. James Carroll’s journey from Whakatane to Ruatoki, he stopped for a few minutes at Wilson’s store, on the boundary of tho Urewera Country, and there Mr Wilson informed the Minister, as evidence of the way the natives at Ruatoki are taking up dairying, that he had cashed cheques for monthly payments from the Ruatoki cheese factory for £4OO for milk supplied by Maoris, and tho chequoa were shown as evidenoe of the truth of the statement.

The strike allowance enjoyed by the Blackball miners as a salve to their wounded sense of justice is large, but that, says a contemporary, will hasten its cessation. Families whose heads are slaving in other parts of the colony will not be satisfied to suffer a prolonged deprivation of the comforts or necessaries to which they have beon accustomed in order that a numbor of men may revel in idleness, tho lgh they may go to work to-morrow without suffering any hardship, for tho Court oou d afterwards sit and Beo that justice was done to both sides so far as human methods can aahievo it.