Figures Needed For Beer Inquiry

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32298, 16 May 1970, Page 1

Figures Needed For Beer Inquiry

• New Zealand Press Association? WELLINGTON, May 15. It was hoped that a date for the public inquiry into the price of beer could be announced next week, the president of the Price Tribunal (Mr S. T. Barnett) said today.

( “The tribunal has undertaken to conduct a public inquiry as requested by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Shelton) into the price of beer,” Mr Barnett said.

“As a preliminary step in this inquiry it is necessary that the principal parties should make a full disclosure of their accounts and supporting information so that the Department of Industries and| Commerce can make a comprehensive and, if possible, accepted statement of the facts.

“The department, in the course of the investigation which it commenced some time ago, has already obtained much of this information, but has experienced difficulty in securing some of the figures it requires.

“The tribunal is going into the question of what additional information is still needed and how long it will take to obtain this. It is necessary to do this before a date can be set for the commencement of the formal hearing. “However, it is hoped that it will be possible to artnounce this date next week. Arrangements will also have to be made for a place for the hearing and for the necessary auxiliary staff,” he said. Boycott Continues ( In Invercargill it was reported that the 15-week-old boycott of hotels in the Ohai coalfields area of Southland is still on. The Miners’ Union president (Mr R. R. Sheehan) said i a union meeting this mornjing unanimously decided that no vote should be taken on (the boycott, which affects (four hotels, at Ohai, Nightjeaps, Wairio and Wreys Bush.

The boycott is in protest against the price of beer tn the district. The miners are now investigating the possibility of starting a working men’s club.