HOTEL HOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1942, Page 3

HOTEL HOURS

“STAGGERING” PROPOSED IN N.S.W. AS CONCESSION TO WAR WORKERS. FEDERAL CUT IN BEER RATION. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, May 25. The New South Wales State Cabinet is considering the question of s^ agg ®f’ ing hotel’ hours in order that wa workers who stop work after the pr sent closing time may be able to get a drink. The Federal Government controls the amount of liquor consumption. but State governments decide the hours which hotels open for trading. Hours during which liquor may be sold in New South Wales are. from 10 o’clock in the morning to 6 o clock in the evening. ... When a licensee was charged wit after-hours trading, he pleaded an unwritten law, under which certain defence factory workers could be served till 9.30 o’clock at night. Government officials disclaimed the existence of such an unwritten law and the licensee was fined. Workers’ organisations immediately sought a staggering of hotel hours in order that shift workers might not be deprived of their beer. Morale is as important, as munitions in factories as in armies,” it was stated._ fi a pot of beer at knocking-off time improves the workers’ morale they should be able to get it without paying fancy prices and breaking the law in some dingy dive.” , Cabinet is expected to agree to a staggering of hours, which has long been the practice in England. This week the beer ration througnout Australia was cut 33 1-3 per cent on January and February sales. Some hotels expect to be without beer two or three days each week. Sales of spirits are reported the heaviest recorded and stocks are dwindling. Army purchases and exports to New Zealand are blamed for a shortage of rum. Wine is rationed at 33 1-3 per cent. Large stocks are held, and heavier wine drinking is expected as the shortage of beer and spirits increases. Australian soldiers are rationed to two pints of beer daily in their camp canteens. They are reported to be satisfied with the ration. However. United States Army officers have expressed concern at the increase in spirits drinking, because of beer rationing, and an easing of beer rationing is sought.