RECORD SHORT STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 29, 29 October 1918, Page 9

RECORD SHORT STRIKE

ABOUT THE PRICF/ 01' BEBE.

T Uie shortest strike on record in Broken Hill happened <m tho morning oi Uctob«r a.' un the pneyious bumky.tluilocal publicans decided at a, nieeuug of the Jiotelkeepei'3' Union that as the wholesale cost of beet had been increased, it would bo necessary for them to raise the price from id. ail loiind to sd. for pots. One prominent publican, who was in Melbourne, is reported to have left word with officials .of tho Hotelkeepors' Union that he would abide by its decisions, but the meeting decided not to bring in tho new prices until two days.'ater, so that the officials of the union would have an opportunity of communicating with him. On Tuesday, following all the publicans, with the exception of the one absent in Melbourne, charged tho new rates, and there was. quickly talk of a beer strike. After.the/ fight held on Eight Hours morning between Gleeson and Payno, the lairge number, of men in attendance holda meeting. It was decided that all houses where sd. a pot was charged'be'declared "black." Sonio of tho speakors referred to the fact that if ono publican could •sell.at the old price thu-e was no reason why l the others could not; ■ After the meeting most of tho men patronised this publican.; The effect of this was almost electrical., The Argent Street publicans did not relish the idea of his getting all theholiday custom, and they at once marked notices on the entrances to their hotels as follows;— This hptiso will continue to dispense beor at id. all rou.nd." The strike was a complete success before it had been on an hour,'and since then beer has been served out at 4d. all round by nearly all tho publicans in the city. Some remained at 6d. for pots.for sevoral days until tho Hotelkeepers' Union had amended its decision of the previous Sunday.