Prohibition

Taxes on beer were in the form of tariffs levied on the ingredients, amounting to about 2s 8d per hhd, until Colonial Treasurer John Ballance introduced a beer duty of 6s 9d per hhd in 1878, the first time the NZ Government attempted to impose a direct tax on local industry. This Bill was defeated in the House due to opposition by the Temperance movement, who argued that it would make the Government more dependent for their revenue upon the sale of intoxicating liquors.

The Alliance for the abolition of the Liquor Trade favoured the Women’s Vote of 1893, as members were confident that the majority of women would support the anti-liquor movement. Thus with prohibition passing in 1894 it is easy to confuse the suffragette movement with the abolition of alcohol.

A strong prohibition element already existed in the district, with the first Total Abstinence meeting held in August, 1870. Blue Ribbon societies were formed and the Clutha electorate was the first to vote no-licence, forcing 11 hotels to close in the Tuapeka district by 1908.

While no-licence forbade the sale of liquor in particular areas, it did not prevent individual consumption. Residents were allowed to carry into the area one quart of spirits and one gallon of beer per person per day, as long as it was for their personal use. Hart’s Bus ran for many years, bringing locals their allocation of beer from outside the district, tied up in sugar sacks with their name upon it.