BEER TAXES AND BEER PROFITS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I read with interest Mr. Watson's letter in your issue of August 14th on this subject. He appears to treat the profits of the trade in a general way, but I would like to point out that one section, i.e., the retailer, in many instances, is finding it difficult to make ends meet. In the adjustment of wholesale prices, due to the varying duties, the retailer has been " squeezed," and whilst, on the one hand, the expenses have considerably increased, his gross profit is approximately 15 per cent. below what it was in 1914. Enquiry from any retailer or multiple hotel firms, without brewing interests, will confirm this. When reductions in duty have taken place the brewers have not passed on a fair share to the traders, hence their balance-sheets being so favourable compared to those of the retailer. The increase in the spirit duty is far heavier in proportion, so much so that the provincial trade is almost reduced to vanishing point, with a corresponding loss in turn- over and profit to the retailers.—I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
" FREEDOM."
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