WHAT PRICE BEER?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 269, 13 November 1935, Page 10

WHAT PRICE BEER?

SOCIABILITY'S COST.

AN EARNEST DISCUSSION.

MR. W. J. JORDAN QUESTIONED

Beer—or rather the mention of itenlivened tlie election address of Mr. W. J. Jordan, Labour candidate for Manukau, at the Methodist Hall, Greenwood's Corner, last evening. The subject was introduced at question time. When milk or coal was sold, the questioner pointed out earnestly, there was a standard measurement. Why was there not a standard for beer? Wonld the Labour party support any move in that direction ? Mr. Jordan approached the subject carefully. He didn't know much about it, lie "said. He supposed something could be done, but it depended on the taste of the consumer so much. "He means measurement," helped out a member of the audience. 'Tlie size of the half-pint, and so on. You pay as much for a email one as a big one." "Percentage of Kick." "Oli," said Mr. Jordan. "I thought he meant quality —the percentage of 'kick.' I don't know. I suppose there are some people who are interested." There had been a time when one ordered a pint "and two ap," he continued, which meant that the barman set up two glasses and half was put into each. A Voice: Half and half? Mr. Jordan; Yes, something like that. Of course, when a man goes into a hotel for sixpennorth of sociability he wants as much sociability as he can get for as little as possible. If he only wants twopennortli of beer and has to pay sixpence for it, someone has to find the fourpencc extra. "Don't Look at Me." "It's optional," joined another man in the discussion. "You can have a large one or a small one." "Yes, it's optional," replied Mr. Jordan. "I suppose the only thing is for the purchaser to insist that lie must have a large tumblerful." "Don't look at me," came ail interjection. "I'm a T.T." "I can see you are," responded Mh Jordan. "I was just thinking that you are the man we go to for the fourpence." The objection of the questioner seemed all right, said Mr. Jordan reflectively. A man shouldn't have to pay the full price when all ho wanted was a small drink. And there the matter rested. Mr. Jordrn answered a number of questions at the close of'his address, in which he criticised the policy of the Government during the past session and outlined Labour's proposals. At the conclusion lie was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks, with confidence in tht Labour party.