PRICE OF BEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24912, 11 May 1942, Page 4

PRICE OF BEER

INCREASE AUTHORISED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 9. An increase in the retail price of beer of Id per measure, but in respect of bottled beer and ordinary riggers of 4d per reputed quart bottle and 2d per reputed pint bottle, has been authorised by the Price Tribunal Riggers holding an imperial quart will bear an increase of 4sd. The increase will operate in respect of all sales from and including to-day. The tribunal states that, 9s a result of the new basic rate of excise duty of 3s a gallon and the raising of the sales tax from 10 to 20 per cent., it has been decided that, aftsr allowing for the saving in brewery costs, the price to the retailer-reseller would be substantially higher than before, and consequentfv the increase in the prices mentioned a"bove has been agreed upon. DISAPPROVAL OF DECISION REPLY TO CRITIC IN UPPER HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 9. "I feel that the Government has gone too far in this matter, and I am sorry to say I believe there will be serious repercussions," said Mr J. G. Young, in the Legislative Council today, referring to the lowering of the alcoholic content of beer which, he said, would make New Zealand beer definitely the weakest in the world. Mr W. Perry said that investigations in England and Wales during the last war snowed that public morale was lowered by an increase in the price and a decrease in the alcoholic content of beer. Both speakers were replying to strong criticism of the liquor trade, by Mr J. K. Archer, who referred to after-hour trading, brewery profits, and drinking by soldiers. He congratulated the Government on imposing a higher price and decreasing the alcoholic content. This discussion took place on the Customs Acts Amendment Bill, which was put through all stages and passed, together with the War Damage Amendment Bill.