AUSTRALIAN WINE TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17076, 13 April 1927, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN WINE TRADE

BUDGET PROPOSALS.

WELCOMED BY IMPORTERS.

FOREIGN COMPETITION EASED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received April 13, 0.55 a.m.)

LONDON, April 12

Australian wine traders generally arc by no means dissatisfied with Hie Budget. They anticipate an increase in the duties and were agreeably surprised to find -it less than they expected. Another ground for satisfaction is a reduction in the dividing line of alcoholic strength •to 25 per cent. This not only gives the empire sweet wines a considerable advantage over port, but is expected to have the result of putting wines of the Tarragona and Lisbon types out of the market, as the duty on them will be Is 4d a bottle, compared with 5d hitherto. These have recently been great competitors of Australian. It is expected that a slight increase in the price of Australian wines is inevitable, but nothing has yet been decided.

Endeavours are being made for the principal importers to act in concert. Importers are all anxious not to increase .the price more than is absolutely essential, but nothing can be settled until they know the exact terms under which Australia’s export bounty will be renewed in September.

Mr. MacDougall, interviewed, said “ this is the most satisfactory tariff. It rounds off the granting of preference to wines initiated in 1923. Mr. Bruce's energetic propaganda, which was most marked in the case of wine, has resulted in the Budget provision which relieved the pressure of foreign competition, which formerly our wines were forced to bear. Traders consider it is most important now to consolidate the position by improving the marketing arrangements with a view to ensuring continuity of supplies, as desultory marketing would he a foolish ignoring of tho advantage which Mr. Churchill has given us.”