Big Variations In Beer By The Jug

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 18

Big Variations In Beer By The Jug

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 31. Some Christchurch drinkers who prefer to buy their beer by the jug are getting smaller measures than their fellows in Auckland bars. But they are paying less for it. The drinkers apparently getting the worst deal are in Dunedin. They pay more for jugs which hold less beer than reputedly standard jugs in other cities.

The reputed capacity of jugs stamped with the mark of the Hotel Association is 350 z. But when the Department of Industries and Commerce tested 38 of these jugs two weeks ago it found the average capacity in Christchurch w a s 34.360 z. The Auckland average was 35.570 z. Dunedin jugs measured 33.580z5. Wellington jugs could contain 34.070 z. These jugs were used in most of the 43 hotels surveyed. The test average for all 38 stamped jugs was 34.830 z.

At Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the survey showed the prices of jugs in public bars remained the same as charged under price control two years and a half ago—that is 3s 3d a jug at Auckland and Wellington, and 3s a jug at Christchurch.

At Dunedin, the price of jugs in public bars varied between 3s 3d and 3s 6d. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall),, had already ordered the survey when Dr. A. M. Finlay asked a question in Parliament. Was it correct, asked Dr. : Finlay, that by reducing the capacity of jugs hotel proprietors secured an additional profit of 15s 3d a gallon? Mr Marshall said then he expected a report on allegations that publicans were making extra profits by reducing jug capacity. CUSTOMER S CHOICE Today, Mr Marshall said: “Although the custom of selling beer in jugs has become more general since liquor prices were decontrolled two years and a half ago, the customer in public bars has had the choice of buying beer in Boz glasses for Bd, as under price control.” The price of draught beer from the breweries to hotels remained the same as was charged when beer was subject to price control, he said.