BOYCOTT OF COAST HOTELS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25305, 3 October 1947, Page 8

BOYCOTT OF COAST HOTELS

ICE CREAM BOUGHT INSTEAD OF BEER From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, October 2. It was evident to-day that many industrial workers were determined to carry out the recommendation of the Trades and Labour Council to boycott hotels that increased the price of beer to 7d a gliss. Although a large crowd of workers gathered in Greymouth tqday for the funeral of the former Minister of Marine (Mr J. O’Brien) few of them patronised the hotels. Most of the miners and other workers boarding at hotels—and there are many of them in Greymouth and throughout the district —also observed the boycott. In some hotels in mining districts there are as many as 15 ana 20 miners who are boarders, and all are refraining from their usual custom of buying beer. ■ , ,iA spokesman of the Trades and Labour Council has expressed satisfaction with the boycott in the first two days of the campaign to restore the 6d charge* It is stated that two hotels in the Grey Valley district did little business yesterday and to-day, and that miners bought ice cream instead of beer.

Mines and other industrial units were idle to-day for the funeral of Mr O’Brien, but workers avoided hotels that charged 7d for beer. Two hotels in Greymouth charged 6d a glass yesterday, but one of them, run by a woman, charged 7d to-day for a 12oz glass and 6d for a 10oz glass. This hotel was reported to have reverted to the old charge of 6d a glass later in the day. The hotel which continued to charge 6d a glass was crowded. A count this morning showed 170 persons round the bar, and its approaches, and the trade kept up throughout the day. The main fear of the hotelkeeper was that he might run out of beer which is a Dunedin product. Glasses were limited, and extra barmen .were welcomed for a break. In a nearby hotel, which charged 7d, there was one drinker. It is reported that some hotels that had increased the size of glasses to 12oz had a few more customers.

Roa and Blackball miners and quartz miners at Waiuta yesterday agreed to boycott hotels. After the meeting at Waiuta, it was reported that the men adjourned to an ice cream parlour. It was also stated that

the only customer during the day in one hotel was a well-known identity who inquired for a glass of water. It is reported that men have gone into hotels, ordered a glass of beer, and then asked how much. When told it was 7d they have said they did not want it, and walked out. Small posters with the words "7d beer is black” appeared overnight on the walls and windows of some hotels in Greymouth, but were quickly removed by some hotelkeepers. Other posters, particularly those on veranda posts, remained throughout the day.