MR ANDERTON WORKS OUT BEER MEASURES AND PRICES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28630, 5 July 1958, Page 14

MR ANDERTON WORKS OUT BEER MEASURES AND PRICES

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 4. There were 18 9oz glasses to ■ gallon of beer, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Anderton) told the House of Representatives today. The extra tax meant 2d ■ glass. There were 160 fluid ounces to a gallon, yielding at present 9s. In future a gallon would yield

12s. or nine-tenths of one penny an ounce. A five-ounce glass would in future cost, with extra tax, 4}d; a seven-ounce glass, 6.3 d; a nineounce glass, 8.1 d; and a 10-ounce glass, 9d. The Leader of the Opposition

(Mr Holyoake): Do we have new coins for these tenths? Mr Anderton: I expected that question from the human calculator. The Minister of Finance (Mr Nordmeyer): Miscalculator. Mr Anderton said that if he went into an ordinary “pub” for a nip of whisky, it would cost him Is, but if he went into the lounge it would cost Is 3d, “because that gives you social standing. “But when we impose a tax on a nip of whisky, all the boys in the Opposition raise a cry.” he said. At the moment,'the country had a little bit of realistic taxation Mr S. W. Smith (Opposition, Hobson): Socialistic. The hope that the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) would see that the Price Tribunal permitted only the increased taxation to be passed on to consumers and did not allow profit to be made out of taxation had previously been expressed by Mr Anderton. Mr D. J. Eyre (Opposition, North Shore): But the Price Tribunal is supposed to be an independent body. The Minister cannot instruct it. Mr Anderton: All I hope is that the time has come when we should give him the power. The Minister discussing the “meaning” of the increased taxation on beer, said it would be infinitesimal.” No worker would be concerned to any degree at the extra small payment because workers realised that the policy of the Government was to maintain full employment, he said.