Aspects of New Zealand motor spirits licensing legislation

Abstract

Licensing of the motor spirits industry in New Zealand was first introduced by the Industrial Efficiency Act 1936 - prior to that time no licences were needed to carry on the business of motor spirits wholesalers or retailers. Under that Act, any wholesaler or retailer of motor spirits in business prior to December 10th, 1936, could carry on business after April 1st, 1938, only if it had obtained the requisite licence. In effect, such a business automatically became entitled to a licence. Any person wishing to set himself up as a wholesaler or retailer of motor spirits after December 10th, 1936, could only do so after the requisite licence had been obtained from the Bureau of Industry. During the Second World War, various restrictions were placed on the industry, but these were progressively removed during the immediate post-war years. By 1950/51 the industry was again flourishing, and competition between all the then operating wholesale distributors became very intense.