BEER WAR

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1939, Page 9

BEER WAR

~ Win for Consumers ? WELLINGTON AGITATION. WELLINGTON. August 26. 'lt is stated that a number of e ' Yin-ton publicans are uneasy about the° effect of the “beer war" on receipts across bars since many Ha es unions have declared hotels black, an that at least one popular ho cl J" Wellington intends next week to e vert to the old price of bd a handle for beer bought in a public bar. . Another meeting of the Wellington Licensed Victuallers’ Association will be held next week, when the whole question of the “beer war” in Ration to the trade will be discussed. In the meantime a mass meeting of those objecting to the higher prices is to be held at the Basin Reserve on Sunday. There will be several speakers. PRICE TO BE INVESTIGATED. WELLINGTON. August 26. According to the president of the Wellington Licensed Victuallers’ Association, the new price of beer has been the subject of an investigation by the Price Investigation Tribunal. ' The Association meets on Monday and it is expected that the findings will be available for that meeting. A mass meeting has been called for to-morrow afternoon at the Basin Reserve to consider the price of beer.

CHRISTCHURCH “SHOUTS" CHRISTCHURCH, August 26. Will the anti-shouting rules die a natural death ? Publicans will discuss this vital subject at a special meeting of the Licensed Victuallers’ .Association on Monday, when the whole question, will be reopened. . At least one hotel in Christchurch is not adhering to the no-shout, rule and is carrying on as formerly. Its Jicensee maintained that it was unfair for the hotels to collect an extra 3s -a gallon where the cost increase was 'only 6d. It is likely that, this licensee will b“ rebuked by a section of the meeting. 2but there are others in the trade who to support him. One school -of thought, granting some concession *.to.,;the- hotels for the price increase, 'thinks that shouting will be reintroduced after every third glass, as is now done on the West Coast. Another view is that the size of glasses will be reduced, and the old system of shouting after every second glass brought back. Lyttelton and Heathcote hotels are not charging 3d extra for mineral waters and cordials supplied with spirits, it was officially stated. Patrons of these houses, it was claimed, were better off than those in Christchurch, for they got 12 oz. handles as against the 10 oz. citv handle.