1880s: Prohibition Creates Substitution Effect
August 18, 2019
By AHNZ
We can be fairly confident that all these concentrate producers, like Masons, knew they were profiting from prohibition. Because the drink the public wanted had been banned by The State, consumers substituted other products to get their hit…
At one point in history the temperance movement gained such traction, that some territories banned production and sale of alcoholic drinks for substantial periods.
Up until, and even after, dry zones had gone by the wayside in New Zealand non-alcoholic beers, shandies and ales made from hops, herbs and even Dandelion remained favoured.
Mason’s was one that was available and remained popular in Aotearoa from the 1880s through to the 1920s.- History Always Repeats; Facebook
Makers of these drinks probably helped bankroll the politicians campaigns who ensured their industry protection. Overall, it created Perverse Incentives for Kiwis to drink funny things to work around the prohibited items. Hence, non-alcoholic beers, shandies, ales, herbal drinks, dandelion and manuka brews.
Always takes a combo of ‘Bootleggers and Baptists‘ to make the Rent Seeking of prohibition fly! The Baptists (aka Wowsers) think they’re doing good or something whereas the Bootleggers who complete the team making prohibition possible are all in it for the money.
—
Image ref. “L courtesy of Canterbury Society of Arts exhibition catalogue, published 1898, collection of Christchurch City Libraries.”
Image ref. “R of unopened Mason’s botanical beer extract courtesy of Zody Mark Tahi”.
Like Comment Share
