Story: Alcohol

Alcohol consumption in New Zealand and other countries, 1910 (2nd of 2)

This graph compares the consumption per person of beer, wine and spirits in New Zealand and comparable countries in 1910. New Zealand had a rather moderate level of drinking, with only Canada more restrained in terms of beer and wine, and the United Kingdom in spirits. In terms of beer, New Zealanders consumed significantly less than the UK, Germany and the United States. The effect of the prohibition crusade and legislative restrictions on liquor licences were probably one explanation for relatively low consumption, although the other societies, apart from France, also had active temperance movements during these years. Another possibility is that New Zealand was a less urban population than the other countries, and while rural people drank when they went to the pub, it was harder for them than city dwellers to reach licensed premises.

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Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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Source: New Zealand year-book

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Alcohol - Prohibition movement, 1880–1919', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/40733/alcohol-consumption-in-new-zealand-and-other-countries-1910 (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Apr 2016