In 1922 the Storting had passed a measure depriving all private persons and firms who had till then traded in wines and spirits of the right to import, buy, and sell these products. To replace these traders a private joint-stock company was formed under the style of Vinmonopolet (The Wine Monopoly), in wich the State retained the deter- mining management. On August 1, 1922 this mono- poly was conceded the exclusive right to import, export, buy, and sell light wines. On the removal of the strong-wine prohibition in 1923 the impor- tation and sale of these wines was also taken over by the Vinmonopolet. However, the spirits prohibition had resulted in illicit distilling, smuggling, and the unlawful sale of spirituous liquors throughout the country. This gave rise to a strong public feeling against the prohibition, which was blamed for this de- plorable state of affairs. There arose an insistent demand for a fresh plebiscite. This was held in 1926 and gave 531,084 votes for the removal of the prohibition, and 423,031 for its retention. In consequence, the spirits embargo was lifted in 1927. The A/S Vinmonopolet, which has since that time held the sole right to produce and sell wines and spirits, is in form a private joint-stock com- pany, but the directors (five in number) hold office by royal appointment, as does also the managing director. Spirits were sold by Monopoly shops in the 128