A BEERY SUBJECT.

NZ Truth, Issue 83, 19 January 1907, Page 8

A BEERY SUBJECT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-—I call m at a certain" hotel, not a hundred miles from Wellington occasionally. Was m the pub . one njght during the festive season just past, and ■ overheard a customer (demijohn type)-inquire the price of Speight's per gallon (this pub taps Speights'.)

"Two and nine !" Customer looked incredulous. "Fact," said host ; "and can't do it for less, either."

Indifferent conversation on different beers at different prices, arriving at Speights' again. "But I can get it locally for half-a-crown," exclaimed - the customer.

"Where ?" Host incredulous this time.

"Round at the Club!" and customer mentioned a toiler's club scarcely more than a hundred yards away.

Host waxed eloquent. "Well, you can ballywell go and get it at the Club."

Animated discussion followed, almost rose to betting, talk of square quarts (Speights' again* m gin bottles) at sixpenoe, etc., etc.

'A fewi inquiries elicited the in-•-fonjfmtion that tbi? wholesale price of Speights beer, with freight added, left little or no profit, retailing at half-a-crown per gallon to casual customers ;■ also that it was possible for members of the Club to take away li'aju'or m portable form for home consumption.

Members of a Club are not to blame m having a -glass or two of beer stored at home, to refresh friends tbat come along during the holidays, or to fill the Sunday gap, but there is a 'great disparity between £40 arid £5 per year, aaid admittedly a slight difference between a lieerise and a charter .

Personally > I am not deeply interested m the subject of beer, and m writing this I have no desire to brin«r discredit upon the members of any fraternity. Tnit m the interests of fair play, and knowing your paper's feelings towards fairness, I trust I am not trespassing m asking for space for my letter.— l am, &c, "TRUTH" READER.