PRICE OF BEER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25308, 7 October 1947, Page 8

PRICE OF BEER

EXTENSION OF WEST COAST BOYCOTT

DECISION OF KUMARA TIMBER WORKERS (P.A.) GREYMOUTH, October 6. The beer boycott on the West Coast extended to-night to Kumara, where a meeting of timber workers, who represent the majority of workers of the township, decided to adopt the recommendation of the Trades’ and La .our Council not to patronise hotels charging 7d a glass for beer. However, all hotels at Kumara to-day were supplying beer at 6d a glass in spite of s a reported visit of Greymouth Licensed Victuallers to Kumara hotelkeepers on Saturday in an endeavour to enlist their sympathy. Hokitika hotels have not been boycotted; but a meeting of workers will be held at Hokitika on Wednesday. Greymouth railway men will consider action at meetings to-morrow. The most interesting development in hotels is the introduction of the Auckland custom of selling bottles for 2s over the counter ana allowing consumption on the premises. The Trades’ Council, however, has stated that the boycott applies to all hotels where a charge of 7d a glass is made. Hotels in mining towns and in Greymouth did little business at the weekend, although miners received their fortnightly pay at the week-end. It is understood that the price control order fixing the price of a 12oz 'glass of beer at 7d applies only to the four main centres. No indication . is been received from either side that the deadlock has been resolved. Many hotel patrons are contenting themselves with other entertainment.

AUTHORITY GIVEN SOME YEARS AGO From Our Own Reporter

WELLINGTON, October 6. If they had Wished, hotelkeepers on the West Coast could have- been charging 7d for a glass of beer for as many years as hotels in other parts of New Zealand have, and the present decision to raise the price is the result of po new decision of the Price Tribunal affecting that specific district. This information was given to-day when inquiries were made of the Price Tri; bun al. When the original authority was given for raising the -'ice from 6d to 7d for a handle of a certain size, the increase was New Zealand-wide. West Coast hotelkeepers then decided, for reasons of their own. to keep the price at 6d.

That they have now changed their minds is regarded officially as being their own affair and no concern of the Government, the Tribunal, or the Department of Industries and Commerce.

GREYMOUTH HOTEL HELPED IN BEER SHORTAGE From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH October 6. The one Greymouth hotel which ■ is still charging 6d a glass for beer ran oi.t of supplies on Saturday afternoon and the notel was closed temporarily Efforts to obtain a new supply in Grej mouth proved fruitless untii a private citizen provided the hotelkeeper with a 36-gallon barrel, which fulfilled all needs until further supplies were received this morning from a Dunedin brewery,