WHISKY BUYERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 92, 18 April 1929, Page 8

WHISKY BUYERS

WHERE AUSTRALIA LEADS TRADE'S STEADY ADVANCE. That he was most favourably im pressed with prospects in New Zealand was evident from the remarks made to a “Chronicle” reporter last night uy .Mr A. Q. AlacGiliycuddy, Australian representative for Alessrs Robert. AJ.cNish and Co., Ltd., of J.ondon, who arrived in Wanganui yesterday, accompanied by Air C. A.’Quane, of the Christchurch firm of H. and (Jo., New Zealand agents for this house of l whisky blenders. In no country that he has visited, said Air Al acG illy cuddy, had he .seen such progress as has been ma.de by Nev. Zealand in her short history, with icr population as yet still under the two million mark. On his way across from Giisbornc to Napier the visitor who is making his first trip to New Zealand, travelled over a bituminised road 2030 feet above sea level, a- fact that impressed itself so strongly ou his mind as being evidence of the progress of re cent years. The scenery of the North Island, as well as what he had seen in the South Island, also came in for : .!s meed of commendation from Air Mae Gillycudd v. Naturally, Air AfacG illy cuddy’s business interests dealing exclusively with whisky, the conversation <oan turned to this topic. London's Pest Customer. “Australia, imports more whisky .n any other coupntry in the world,’’ said the visitor, with a smile when the United {States was mentioned to him. “The quantity of whisky being imported into the Commonwealth is increasing annually,” he continued, “and Australia is regarded by the Lond<n houses as the best oxerseas customer.” Air AlacGillycuddy is an Australian by birth. He entered the whisky bust ness in England and {Scotland after the Great War, and is in New Zealand . • arrange for an extension of the business. Whisky distillers have realised that the overseas market can be utcreased bv personal attention to tlic firms’ connections, and Mr AlacGillycuddy states that most linns are appointing special overseas representatives to study colonial needs. “England is still a great beer drinking country’’ he said, “and the Eng lishman still sticks to his glass of bee:-. He will not change his drink for whisky, though despite that fart whisky is a more popular drink thau it was a generation ago.” Methods of Distillation. The most, modern methods are .'mployed in the manufacture of whisky, competition being very keen between half-a-dozen of the big firms. “They have the. right waler in Scotland for whisky” said Mr AlacGillycuddy. The water from Glasgow, he stated, was considered the best in t.be world. To-day whisky is never touched by hand in the course of manufacture. The Scotch malts and grains are distilled in Scotland. The whisky lies in the various distilleries for over six years, and is then taken to Glasgow, where it is turned into huge vats and blended by electricity. 'l’he casks are cut and nailed on the premises, from wood imported from British Columbia and Scandinavia. T'he pioneer physician tu go into the effect uf«alcohol on the human sys’.jm, said Air AlacGillycuddy, was Dr. AlcNish. That was over JOO years ago. Severity years ago the firm of Robert AlcNish was formed as a small private company. From the. small beginning the firm has grown till to-day thero is over £1,000,000 invested in it. “During the war, stocks of whisky were very low throughout the United Kingdom, but there has been a great increase in the quantities manufactured since J 919. Indeed,” added Air AlacGillycuddy, “the distilling of whisky is one of lhe greatest industries in the United Kingdom, which exports to almost every country iu the world, though little or none goes to Russia because they have no money or credit.” Air AlacGillycuddy, who is accompanied by his wife, has been five, weeks in Nexv Zcnlanl, and after travelling tcNew Plymouth . nd Auckland, will pro ceed to Australia.