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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 47

Spirits

Spirits.

The quantity of spirits taken for consumption was less by 498,788 gallons than in the preceding year, and less by 21¾ per cent, than the average of the four preceding years. This decrease is partly due to the large entries made in the beginning of 1876, when an increase in the Excise was expected, but the average quantity of spirits taken for consumption during the two years 1876 and 1877 falls much below the average of the four preceding years. If the difference of population is taken into consideration, this decrease may be estimated at 750,000 gallons. The falling off is attributed by the Commissioner to three causes. First, The uncertainty of dealers with regard to prohibitive legislation, and consequently the avoiding further increase of stock than necessary, as shown by the fact, that though the quantity has largely decreased the number of entries has largely increased. Second, Illicit distillation, which appears to be largely on the increase, 47 stills having been seized during the fiscal year and 18 between June and December, 1877; and the loss to the revenue was, probably not less than the duty on 200,000 gallons; and Third, The diminished consumption from the diminishing power of the people to purchase. The quantity of spirits held in bond was considerably greater also at the close of the fiscal year than at its commencement, the figures being 1,276,786 and 1,513,720 gallons, and this last quantity is greater by 160,015 gallons than the average quantity held at the close of the preceding four years. There was a slight increase in the quantity of spirits exported, and a small decrease in the quantity taken into bonded manufactories.