THE PUBLIC PAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8701, 7 April 1914, Page 5

THE PUBLIC PAY

RAISING HOTEL TARIFFS. AS RESULT OF THE RECENT AWARD. A general rise in hotel tariffs, of probably not less than Is per tiny, is likely to be the result of the increaseu charges imposed tinder the new award of the hotel workers. The matter was considered at a meeting of the 'Wellington Licensed Victuallers’ Association yesterday. Mr J. Beveridge, who presided, afterwards told a press representative that it had been decided that the increases imposed were more than • the trade could bear and the h°tel tariffs must in consequence be increased. For this purpose, it had been decided to convene a general meeting* of hotel keepers in Wellington for Thursday afternoon. “The position,” said Mi Beveridge, "is that for the past ten or twelve years wp have met the reduction of hours and increased wages imposed by the court and incidentally the increased cost of living without making any increase in onr tariffs, and now, particularly with the direct hint given by the judjje, wo feel that we shall bo fully justified in passing these ext™ charges on to the public,” Mr Beveridge said ho could not state definitely what the increased charges wpuld amount to, as the award would affect some hotels more severely than others, and a general average would have to be struck. _ He, however, felt confident in saying that the increase in hotel tariffs all round would be not less than Is per day.