Grey Workers May Meet To Oppose New Beer Prices

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 8

Grey Workers May Meet To Oppose New Beer Prices

The intention of hotel-keepers on the West Coast to raise the price of beer Jo 7d per glass after next Tuesday, appears to have caused resentment among workers in the Grey district, at least. It is slated that if the licensees pursue .their announced course, a special meeting of workers' representatives convened by the West Coast Trades and Labour Council, is likely to be held to discuss the position. The hope is held in many quarters, however, that the divided opinion of local licensees—it is rumoured that at least three will retain the fid charge—may prevent the plan for the new price from being implemented. A meeting of the Wallsend Miners’ Union was held, yesterday morning to discuss the position. The men unanimously recommended that the Trades Council convene a special meeting this week-end and meet miners’ representatives for discussions. Though no other unions have gone so far, it is considered likely that they will fall in with the proposal. Trades Council’s Interest

It is believed that the Trades Council has already commenced negotiations with the Greymouth Licensed Victuallers’ Association,, whose decision to increase prices led to a similar move over nearly all the province, and the outcome of the representations to this organisation are being awaited before any further action is taken. An assurance was given to an Evening Star representative this afternoon that if the decision to -increase prices is not. altered, a special meeting will be called. Opportunity will also bo taken, during the proposed meeting, it was stated, to discuss the recent increases in the price of many grocery lines, household coal, meat and bread.

Hokitika licensed- victuallers yesterday ratified their decision to charge 7d for beer and lOd for .spirits after ’the end of this month. This was disclosed by the president of the association, Mr J. D. Keenan, in a telephone conversation with the Evening Star this afternoon. Position At Hokitika Mr Keenan denied that Hokitika publicans at the “urgent” meeting yesterday first supported the retention of the old charges—6d and Is for spirits—but later accepted the proposed new rates. Asked about the size of the glasses to be sold for 7d in Hokitika, Mr Keenan declined to

disclose what size would be used but later said that there were no 12 oz glasses in the town. He pointed out, however, that the Price Tribunal had not made it compulsory, except in the main centres, for the larger glasses to bo provided for 7d, and suggested that the regular “shout” on the house, which was observed in Hokitika hotels, was a privilege not obtaining in the cities.

No Decision At .Westport Though no decision has been reached- in Westport, it is believed that the hotelkeepers there will follow the lead of Greymouth and Hokitika. It is reported that there has been little reaction among Buller workers so far at the prospect, “but,” explains the Westport News, “the

reason for the peaceful outlook in the Buller is that the hotel proprietors here are given credit for being more generous than most of their class and it is not unusual to have more than an occasional drink on the house after a small outlay. The rise may be accepted as inevitable by many of the free-and-easy type who have become used to paying extra for most things by now, but until the beer is increased in strength and a return made to the 12-ounce glass, instead of the present 10-ounce measure, there will b e a greater majority who will deeply begrudge paying anything more to the hotels.”