THE WHISKY TRADE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 834, 1 March 1906, Page 26

THE WHISKY TRADE.

“Expert,” writing in the London “Standard” of a recent date says :—There can be no doubt that the whisky trade is passing through a serious crisis, not occasioned by the remarkable decline in consumption. The causes spring from internal as much as from external sources, and are likely to produce results which may alter the whole face of the trade. Movements are going on behind the scenes which are considerably affecting the relations hithert-> existing between the blenders, the patent Still and Highland malt distillers. A private and informal meeting of the lattet, to which the Irish pot distillers were invited, was held in London for the purpose of furthering, amongst other things, the movement recently initiated, in favour o' the compulsory detention of all spirits in bond for a period of at least three years. “The Standard” published a short time ago the circular emanating from the Glasgow Bonded Warehousekeepers’ Association. advocating this proposal, which, it appears, has been warmly taken up by the Highland malt and Irish distillers, and active steps are about to be commenced to press the matter on the attention of Parliament. The primary object, of course, is to lighten the market of the exclusively heavy stocks of Highland malt with . which it is at the present time loaded, and which are reducing prices to. an unprecedentedly low level ; and, having done ■ so, it is expected that a greater control could be exercised in the future in regulating the output and preventing the re- ' currence of such accumulations. This, thQ patent still distillers are already enabled to do, since the Distillers’ Company effected its gigantic deal some time ago and obtained control of nearly all the patent still distillers in Scotland and Ireland. The result is that the prices of patent spirits have gone up, and are expected to go much higher. But here comes in a third and'a very powerful interest—the blenders, who, naturally, are strongly opposed to any increase in the very low prices at which for years they have been enabled to buy their supplies for the public. The outcome of all this is a considerable clashing of opposing interests, a probable new grouping of parties, and the destruction of that harmonious co-operation in the Scotch whisky trade which has existed, outwardly, at least undisturbed ever since • the failure of the Select Committee of 190-1 gave the* Highland malt distillers their coup de grace. Another most curious circumstance is that the Distillers’ Company have thrown in their lot with the Highland malt people in support of the three years’ compulsory bonding. For the first time in any cause, the pot and the patent still are in alliance. The public cannot remain indifferent spectators of all this, for everyone would welcome, as of the greatest importance to the country, a movement which would put ai end to the new deleterious spirit which now forms such a large proportion of the whisky sold in this country. Not alone is it the custom to blend spirit at a very early age, but it enables Highland malt, when blended with it. to be sold at a much earlier maturity than would be otherwise possible or desirable. For instance, High‘affn jo sjnaX omj jo auo 312 ‘nuui punj is, by itself, scarcely potable, so rank, coarse and unwholesome is it. When co-

piously blended with flavourless patent spirit its asperities are softened down without losing any, of course, of its injurious qualities.

When a man flatters himself that he knows a woman, he —flatters himself.

“It’s a good day for washing, but not inside here,” was the remark made by the Magistrate in the Police Court last week, during the hearing of a case in which two sisters appeared anxious to relate family secrets.

“The Clancys is givin’ a tin weddin’ to-morrow avenin’,” said Mrs. Casey.

“Phwy do they call it a tin weddin’?” inquired her husband. “Because they’ve been married tin years, av coorse. ”

“Oh. is that so? I see, I see. Thin I suppose ye’d betther run down to th’ tin cint sthore an’ buy thim a tin weddin’ present.” Mr. Mulligan, who refereed this contest of wits, decided that the bout was a draw, and that refereeing were dhfy wur-rk. Whereupon little Micky was despatched to the corner with a tin and peace was restored.

The following is the newest definition of a kiss :—A kiss is a peculiar proposition. Of no use to one, yet absolute bliss to two. The small boy gets it for nothing, the young man has to steal it, and the old man has to buy it. The baby’s tight,, the lover’s privilege, the hypocrite’s mask. To a young girl faith, to a married woman hope and to an old maid charity.

In Russia, it is sometimes the custom at a big dinner for each lady to smoke a tiny cigarette after each course. This is said to not only assist digestion, but it also removes the flavour of the previous course from the palate.

Acting on the advice of the Crown Law Officers, the Chief Electoral Officer has informed the returning officers for the licensing elections throughout the colony that the provisions for exercising absent voters’ permits cannot be applied to the licensing elections. The rolls used at the general elections will be used also for the licensing elections. Names can be added until the 19th inst.

Sergeant Ramsay, of Dunedin, has been transferred to Auckland. * * * * '

There are 224 newspapers published in New Zealand and registered at the general post office, Wellington. Of these, 62 are published daily, 34 thrice weekly, 24 twice weekly, 6 weekly, two fortnightly, and 35 monthly.

OCCIDENTAL HOTEL, WHARF-ST., HOKITIKA.

Centrally and conveniently situated, offering- the best accommodation at a moderate tariff. Wines, Spirits, Ales, etc., of the best quality procurable Cuisine excellent, under the personal supervision of Mrs. Woolhouse. Tariff, 5s per diem; £1 Is per week.

Mrs. N. W. WOOLHOUSE, Propria