HOTELS “BLACK.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 68

HOTELS “BLACK.”

A DARWIN COMEDY. POLICE EJECTED FROM UNION MEETING. (I- rom Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Februaiy 23. Labour unions in Australia are always ready to declare anything “ black ” even hotels. Labour unions in the Northern Territory became dissatisfied with the conduct of hotels there, particularly in regard to the price charged for a glass of beer, so they declared each establishment “ black,” and the boycott was rigidly enforced. But Darwin is a place where men are liable to be overcome with thirst, and it can hardly be said that the boycott was popular. There were some thirsty souls who could -iot last out, and they scabbed on their mates. As was inevitable, this caused trouble. Lven those men who are fighting for a principle cannot bear to see another man drinking beer which has been denied them. So a meeting was held to discuse a removal of the boycott—on what grounds remains obscure. As it turned out the meeting was a particularly rowdy one. It was soon apparent that a majority of those oresent were opposed to the boycott but an organised body of 20 men promptly seized and ejected from the meeting a man who was bold enough to suggest that a secret ballot should be held. Matters came to such a pass—the majority were v v thirsty it being a very hot day—that the police were several times called in. Eventually, even the police were ejected by the organised section. Babylon broke loose and a dozen men were speaking at once in Russian, Italian, Greek, and “ modern ” Australian. Amidst great excitement the Pine Creek and Katherine Hotels were declared white, but it was laid down that liquor from these places was not to be taken to Darwin. A wild rush for these places at offte set in. Nobody was killed. J During the meeting the union secretary was charged with having had a drink »t r i in ? M he period all the hotels were black. He had many secret sympathisers, and, with his head hung m shame, he admitted the offence. However, he did not suffer as be deserved to, and the meeting declared him “ white.” It was also decided that the embargo on ..1® Club Hotel at Darwin would ba nited as soon as the proprietor apologised to the union for certain statements that ue had made against it. i 1? , tbe a ! eant >me, hop beer, made-and sold by Chinese, is having a large sale.