DEARER BEER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 10

DEARER BEER

INCREASE EFFECTIVE CHANGE TO DRAUGHT BOTTLES LESS POPULAR "HANDLES" BEING REDUCED Increases in tho prico of boor were made efl'ectivo yesterday. Resulting from the 6d a gallon which was added on to the excise duty under the recent Budgetary provisions, they so far apply mainly to the bottled product, although measures are being taken to reduce the size of glasses and "handles." Following a decision mado last week by a meeting of the Licensed Victuallers' Asociation, local brands of bottled beer sold in p:jit bottles now cost 9d instead of tho former Sd, and southern brands have risen from 9d to lOd. Beer bought in bulk has increased by Cd to os a gallon. Spirits More Popular Tho immediate result yesterday of theso increases was an extraordinary interest in public bars and draught beer. Private bars, wliero more bottled than draught beer is usually sold, and where tho cash register inevitably recorded 9d instead of tho customary Bd, lost much of their appeal. Another result of the advance in tho prico of bottles was an added popularity for spirits, the prices of which are unaltered. Reports that publicans were considering reducing tho size of "handles' did, however, result in a touch of scepticism from those deserting the bottles for draught beer about the capacity of tho containers handed to them. In some of the hotels a skeleton supply of smaller "handles" has already been obtained, and steps are being taken to obtain more, although the great number which will bo required for tho wholo of New Zealand, and tho difficulties which may bo met in importing them, havo resulted in a temporary ropriovo for tho "handle at tho oxxjonse of tho bottle. Back to Normal Soon What is going to be done about tho "half-handle," which yesterday contained its usual amount of liquid, although again there wero thoso who said they detected more than tho usual amount of froth, is not yet known, it is, however, considered unlikely that the hotel-going public will be for long enabled to buy tho quantity formerly contained in a "handle" by tho simple expedient of buying two "half-handles." Nor is it expected that yesterday's noticeable change-over from bottles to "handles" will be more than temporarily apparent. While in tho meantime a disgruntled beer-buying public may transfer some of its affections to draught beer, it is thought that old habits will soon be resumed. INCREASE IN CHRISTCHURCH COUNTER LUNCHES TO STAY

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] CHRISTCHUKCH, Monday A special meeting of the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers' Association tliis morning revised beer prices in hotels to meet the increased tax on beer provided for in the recent Budget. The increase was 6d a gallon, and is to be handed 011 to hotclkoGpcrs by tlio breweries to meet increased costs. Members of the association to-day decided upon tho following revised charges: —All beer, fid a glass; draught beer, 5s a gallon, instead of 4s 6d; square riggers, Is 6d, instead of Is 3d; bottled beer (quarts), ls : 6d, instead of ls*3d, or los' a dozen. There will be no more "shouting, but the "counter lunch" will be retained. Tho new scalo of charges will operate on Wednesday.