PASSINC ON THE NEW BEER TAX.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2637, 7 December 1915, Page 7

PASSINC ON THE NEW BEER TAX.

Sir,—l understand "Hotelkeeper's" complaint in this morning's Dominion t-o bo that ho will be charged extra for his beer after January 1 next. Not only "Hotelkeeper," but many others, may be interested to learn that one city brewery, at least, has not waited for the Now Year to begin to pass on the increased beer tax, which I understood was to be 3d. per gallon, or equal to that sum. If that is correct, not only have the brewers commenced already to recoup themselves, but, as usual, doubled xt by. charging sixponco per-gallon extra. I enclose account which will verify my statement by shownig that three shillings per gallon, ex browory, is now charged, instead of 2s. 6(1, as formerly. State control of the liquor interest now appears to be the only rational remedy, failiug which moderate drinkers—the only real Temperance people— of small means will, of necessity, bo compelled to augment the abhorred teetotal ranks.—l am, Sir, your ancient, but seemingly lost friend, PRO BONO PUBLICO. December 4, 1915. [The amount of the additional war tax on beer is not 3d. per gallon. In fact, it is not known to the public what the amount is, as tho whole system of charging the beer duty is c'hanged. It was explained in Parliament that the imount of the duty under the new system would depend on the strength of Lhe beer.]