PRICE OF BEER

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22795, 22 August 1939, Page 10

PRICE OF BEER

CONSUMERS MEET AT WESTPORT DEVELOPMENTS TO BE AWAITED [From Our Own Reporter.] WESTPORT, August 21., A meeting of beer’ consumers at Westport was held on Sunday evening at which a committee was appointed, to keep a check on the situation whereby the publicans might reduce the size of glasses or abolish “shouting” to counteract the extra tax on beer imposed by the Government. If any action is taken by Westport licensees this committee will call another general meeting when measures against the licensees by the consumers will be considered. . • There was considerable discussion at the meeting, some present advocating a boycott of all hotels if the present system of selling beer is interfered with. One man said that it would be unfair for the licensees to exploit the workers and the workers’ Government by raising the price of beer, as had been done in many places. He said that a rise of threepence a bottle on all beers was ridiculous, as it gave the licensee too much profit. WELLINGTON SITUATION WATERSIDERS REPORTED TO BE FIRM (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. August 21. According to inquiries to-day, the watersiders are standing firm on their decision not to patronise the hotels. Another group of workers, the tramwaymen, have joined in the boycott. The tramwaymen discussed the price being charged for beer 'at a meeting yesterday, and decided to act in a similar manner to the Watersiders’ Union until the matter has been rectified. A member of the Watersiders’ Union said that it was not a nine days’ wonder. “We are solid,” he said. “In fact, the boys are more solid in this matter than ever I expected them to be.” Reports which had been circulated that the Wellington Licensed Victuallers’ Association might reconsider the position were not borne out at the office of the association. The secretary said that a further meeting had not been held and the position was unchanged. AUCKLAND HOTELS “BLACK” WATERSIDERS’ ACTION AUCKLAND, August 21. Supporting the move of their southern colleagues, the Auckland waterside workers to-day decided to declare all hotels “black” until they are satisfied that the increased beer tax is being equally borne by all sections of the community. The men ask that beer be sold under the Weights and Measures Act. with 6d as the price of an imperial pint. They resent the actions of the hotels, and claim that the brewing industry is making an extra profit, besides fully retrieving the tax.