PRIVATE BAR PRICES UP

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 1

PRIVATE BAR PRICES UP

Increases between 10 and 16.6 per cent in the prices of spirits, canned and bottled beer, and aerated waters sold in private bars have been recommended by the Canterbury Hotel Association. The new prices will probably come into force today.

The increases will not apply to public bars, and draught beer in all bars and bottle stores is not affected. In a prepared statement, the association says the new charges have been brought about “by the continuing decline in profitability in hotel trading.”

“This partial recovery will still hold hotel profits substantially below the wholesale and retail categories of industry as shown in the Reserve Bank statistics of profits within New Zealand,” the statement says. The suggested increases are: 2c a nip on all spirits, 3c on pints and cans of ale, and 1c on all split bottles of aerated waters. The association has directed that there should be no increases in public bar prices while these bars are under price control, and has suggested that draught beer prices in all bars should remain unchanged in the meantime.

In its circular to members, the association says: “While it is for individual members to determine their own prices, your executive is of the opinion that the recommendations are reasonable and should not be exceeded.” The recommendations were sent to all of the 140 hotels and taverns within the association’s area, which extends from Kaikoura to Chertsey, but many of the smaller and country hotels which have only one bar will be unaffected.