Threat To Cut Off Beer Supply To All N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 November 1947, Page 4

Threat To Cut Off Beer Supply To All N.Z.

MORE SERIOUS TURN TO WEST COAST BOYCOTT

(P.A.) Wellington, Nov. 27. A more serious turn on a national basis occurred in the West Coast beer boycott today when the New Zealand Waterside Workers Union at its meeting in Wellington decided to ask the New Zealand Transport Workers' Federation, to which it is affiliated to take concerted action to prevent the transport of beer supplies from a Dunedin brewery to all parts of the Dominion until those West Coast hotels which are serving beer at 6d a glass are assured of supplies. The decision was immediately communicated to Mr. W. B. Richards, of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Transport Workers’ Federation and vice-president of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Representations were made today to the watersiders’ conference on behalf of West Coast unionists by the National Council of the Federation of Labour, The union was told that the decision to apply the beer boycott on the West Coast had always been incidental to the fundamental issue, which was a trade union assault on

rising commodity prices generally. It was reported that West Coast hoteli which continued to serve bee- at 7d a glass were showing preference for beer from Dunedin, and West Coast publicans had been informed that the Greymouth district was receiving Its quota from a particular brewery and the quota could not be increased because of a shortage of barrels. The watersiders' conference decided Io support the boycott and also to support the demand that the Dunedin brewery should ensure adequate supplies to West Coast "sixpenny” hotels. This decision will go to the Transport Workers’ Federation for implementation on the basis of concerted action bv railwaymen, drivers, watersiders and other- transport employees. Unless the demand for adequate supplies to the West Coast hotels indicated is me’, it is proposed that the national workers should declare "black" supplies from the Dunedin brewery to all districts outside the West Coast, said an official announcement. “Unless the demand is compiled with it will be an unfortunate Christmas so far as beer supplies In »» New Zealand are concerned ” said the announcement. "Our desire is to see that enough beer reaches the West Coast ’sixpenny’ hotels from Dunedin. Transport workers undoubtedly should support the West Coast unionists in their fight."