Extended Bar Hours

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 12

Extended Bar Hours

Sir, —In view of this controversy over the liquor question, I would suggest that if the Government wishes to establish itself in favour with reasonable thinking people, it should rescind the law making all workers compulsory members of a union. We, the long-suffering public, are being victimised by the little Hitlers who are protected by this law. The whole set-up of this rich and prolific little country of ours is being sabotaged by its own people. We have been spoon-fed up till now. Let us stand on our own feet and be a nation together.—Yours, etc, C. E. McGLASHAN. October 13,1967.

Sir,—ln reply to “Disgruntled Barman,” the union meeting held on Wednesday at the Trades Hall was the most orderly meeting ,1 have ever attended, and all those who asked for the floor were accorded the courtesy. I failed to hear any voice, “Disgruntled Barman’s” or any other, speak to the meeting against the motion, which was carried overwhelmingly. It is well known that most unions (and associations) have their leeches, waiting to accept all the improved conditions and standards achieved by the. endeavour of their fellow members. “Disgruntled Barman" has not proved the courage of his own convictions by voicing his opinions at the meeting or penning his name to his letter.—Yours, etc, w. a. McCallum.

October 13, 1967. Sir—Mr McGregor has failed to tell the publie that barmen are defying the union instruction* in order to keep their jobs. The major breweries have refused to supply hotels where staff other than the licensee and his wife and family are employed after 7

p.m., and yet the president of tire Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Mr R. E. Smith, says that the union la holding the New Zealand public to ransom. The chamber stands for vested interests which fight against wage orders for the workers while fleecing the public by vicious price Increases.—Yours, etc, DISILLUSIONED NATIONALIST. October IL 1967. Sir,—Will the Opposition (Labour) blame the Government (National Party) for increasing the cost of living (beer) which seems inevitable if the striking barmen get their increase in wages?— Yours, etc, PUZZLED PENSIONER. October 13, 1967. Sir,—For long New Zealand has considered that it* dignity stands high in the opinion of the rest of the world. An overseas diplomat, tongue in cheek, might well rumble, “Why shouldn’t she think so?” and leave it at that, to the cheers of the New Zealand multitude. Others, not seeking applause nor dependent on diplomacy, might draw attention to our present closing-time fiasco. While the barmen, their union, and the hotel proprietors argue it out, the publie, the police, and the Government patiently await a elosing time which has already been made law. Truly)this must be richly humorous to other countries and such of their members as have not the misfortune to be visiting our hospitable shores at the present time.— Yours, etc, PRO BONO PUBLIC-HOUSE. October 12,1967. Str,—Why have a referendum at all? Why legalise a 7 p.m. swill? If those concerned are unable to make satisfactory arrangements the hours should return to 6 p.m. closing until they are able. The vote was between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m, not 7 p.m. Most of those voting for 10 p.m. voted in the hope of bringing in civilised drinking, and in the hope that minors would find it more difficult to obtain drink from the back doors; 7 p.m. defeats these purposes and the increased traffic between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. will bring its own toll.—Yours, etc, CONCERNED. October 12, 1967.

Sir,—Reporters for certain papers must be relying on a 4s shout from our bow-tied publicans. The only publicity in this dispute has been about barmen finishing at 7 p.m. Would our dear friends realise that a barman would be the lowest-said moneylender, ear-bashed shiftworker, on £l5 10s a week in this country? Forty-five cents is all the barmen ask. Perhaps our pony-drinking friends might have to sell a racehorse.— Yours, etc, C. October 12. 1967. Sir,—lt is little wonder, in view of the attitude of a certain number of workers in Christchurch, that the Meat Board has decided to ship its products out of the ports of Timaru and Bluff The workers in the south, in all types of employment, seem to accept the late hours with a smile.—Yours, etc,

A MODERATE DRINKER. October 12,1967.