BRITAIN’S ANNUAL DRINK BILL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1054, 19 May 1910, Page 22

BRITAIN’S ANNUAL DRINK BILL.

We must confess that we always regarded the “Annual Drink Bill” as a sort of hobby of the late Dr. D'awson Burns, (says the Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette”) but his successor, Mr. G. B. Wilson, in the office of secretary to the United Kingdom Alliance has taken it upon himself to perpetuate the publication which leads us to the conclusion that it is not without its effect upon the subscription list of the organisation. When some of the wealthy temperance cranks note that millions continue to be spent in this country on drink, then presumably the purse strings are opened to further the campaign against the “shocking trade.” But why not an “Annual Coffee Bill,” an “Annual Tea Bill” and an “Annual Meat Bill.” Coffee is a stimulant, so are beer, wines, and spirits. This year the “Drink Bill” is down £5,897,997 but it is nonsense to say that over

£155,000,000 is wasted in drink. Think of the number of people—over 2,000,000 —employed in connection with the licensing industry, think of the revenue of £40,000,000 to the chequer. We are well aware of the change which has come over the habits and customs of the people and we have no doubt that this will continue. All the same, there will ever be a demand for British beer and British spirits as well as for choice wines; in fact, Mr. Wilson has himself to admit that there has been an increase in wines of £93,000, with an increase in consumption of 103,744 gallons:—a point, by the way, which will doubtless not escape the notice of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.