Passing Of The Counter Lunch: "Shouting" Curtailment

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 10

Passing Of The Counter Lunch: "Shouting" Curtailment

[Per Press Association. Copyright.l CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. An organised effort to eliminate the counter-lunch, and curtail “shouting” in hotels throughout New Zealand, was made by the Licensed Victuallers’ Association last week. Simultaneout meetings of provincial associations were held in the main centres on Thursday, it is stated. The Canterbury association decided to eliminate the counter-lunch from next Wednesday, February 1, but patrons of Christchurch hotels will still be able to “have one on the

house.” A determined effort to curtail “shouting” was made, but failed. Further consideration is to be given to this suggestion. Cheese and biscuits, with, greens in season, will continue to be served. The hot counter-lunch, fried fish, saveloys, roast rabbit, will in most city hotels be seen no more. Increased Costs Responsible, Increased costs ,as the result of the new hotel employees’ award has brought about an organised effort to do away with the counter-lunch and “shouting.” A circular sent to all licensees by the Canterbury association contained the following resolution, which was carried unanimously: “That this general meeting of members of the Canterbury Licensed

Association recommends all licensees in this association, as a means toward offsetting the increased costs arising from the recent new award, to limit the counter-lunch as from February 1 next to biscuits, cheese and greens in season.” Comment by the secretary of the Canterbury association, Mr. McGillivray, read:—’“The new scheme is to be brought into operation on Wednesday next, and in the light of present circumstances it is confidently anticipated that success will attend the" venture. An appeal is therefore made to each and every licensee to assist himself by rigidly adhering to the arangement.” A Bugbear. counter lunches and lavish ‘shouting’ have become a bugbear in Christchurch,” said the president of the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Mr. J. MacKenzie. The public do not appreciate the amount of work and heavy cost involved in preparing a hot counterlunch. Costs have risen tremendously, wages are higher, and hours ,are shorter.” Auckland Attitude. The president of the Auckland Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Mr. J. C. Griffin, said yesterday that no meeting to consider the question had yet been held in Auckland. The Auckland organisation was ,a separate body from the other associations of the Dominion, except in labour matters and would not necessarily take action because the southern associations had done so. Toheroas on West Co^st Toheroas on the west coast have been in short supply lately. In spite of the scarcity, however, a party on Sunday obtained fair bags.