THE BEER TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8824, 12 March 1892, Page 3

THE BEER TRADE.

A meeting of the members of the Auckland Victuallers' Association was held at Luks' Victoria Hotel, yesterday afternoon, Mr Cook presiding. There were twelve publicans present. The Chairman said that the meeting had been called together to consider the price of beer, which was at present in a very unsatisfactory state in Auckland. Mr. Luks stated that as the price of beer was lowered its quality went down. There were now nine to ten houses in Auckland selling beer at 2d or 3d a pint, and he believed that if steps were not at once taken, in a few days beer would be Helling in every house in Auckland at 2d or 3d. It was impossible to sell a good palatable article at a low price. Mr. Buck remarked that he had been unable to keep up the price of beer when other houses were selling at a lower price. Mr. Hand said he did not see why the leading publicans should absent themselves from the meeting. The Chairman said it was impossible to try and draw up any agreement when there were so many dishonourable men among the publicans. The Chairman said the association had been formed to try and elevate the trade, and he was very sorry to say that their efforts had been a complete failure. Mr. Luks then moved, " That a committee consisting of Messrs. Brodie, Meehan, Ryan, and Hand be appointed to wait upon the victuallers with a view to having beer sold at not less than 4d a pint and Md a halfpint." Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. The Chairman said this was the last meeting of the association that he would attend, and that Mr. VV. Pearce had resigned the position of treasurer. The motion was not put, and the meeting broke up in confusion.