Publicans’ Head Incensed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 1

Publicans’ Head Incensed

The president of the Canterbury Hotel Association (Mr A. F. McGregor) yesterday said the deplorable conditions for dispensing draught ale in England were the worst he had seen. The furnishings and food conditions in English hotels were not as good as those in most New Zealand hotels.

He was commenting on criticisms made of New Zealand’s drinking habits by two New Zealand Opera Company members—one from England,

and the other from the United States—printed in yesterday's issue of “The Press.”

Mr McGregor said that the lead tenor of the company for “Die Fledermaus,” Mr Peter Grant, an Englishman, should be more open-minded to know more about New Zealand hotel drinking conditions. Mr McGregor said that remarks by the musical director of the company for “Die Fledermaus,” Mr Robert Feist, an American, were not gratifying to anyone in the hotel industry. “I intend to take the matter further,” said Mr McGregor. If it were not for the liquor industry, Messrs Feist and Grant would possibly not be in Naw Zealand.

“The New Zealand Opera Company is sponsored by New Zealand Breweries which has strong ties with the retail section of the industry,” said Mr McGregor. On the claim by Mr Feist that in Wellington he had not been able to find a meal with wine after 8 p.m., Mr McGregor said that late meals after 8 p.m. were available in at least eight licensed hotels and five restaurants in Christchurch. This would be average for the main cities. Mr McGregor said that be had been in most countries quoted by Mr Feist. “I consider that our way of life is a national one and we are one of the most advanced counties in the world for the

dispensing of liquor and food,” said Mr McGregor.

“The cost of food in this country is more reasonable than it is any country that enjoys a similar standard of living.”

Mr McGregor said he challenged Mr Feist to produce in the United States a meal of lamb chops and draught beer in a licensed hotel.

The secretary of the Canterbury Hotel Workers’ Association (Mr L. Short) said: “Mr Grant should save his breath ■for singing.” Mr Short said he would have a New Zealand pub any day, rather “than the stuff we see in ‘Coronation Street!” Mr Short said that New Zealand drinkers did not want Mr Feist’s type in its hotel bars. A