PRICE OF BEER MAY RISE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20012, 10 August 1939, Page 5

PRICE OF BEER MAY RISE

EFFECT OF HIGHER TAX AUCKLAND CONSIDERATION WHOLESALE RATE UP (Por I'rens Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. To determine the future price of beer, the Auckland Licensed Victuallers' Association is meeting to-day. An increase of 6d a gallon on the excise duty was imposed by the Government last week and, following discussions between representatives of Auckland brewing firms the advance in tax has now been passed on to the trade in the form of higher wholesale prices. The action taken by the manufacturers was regarded as almost inevitable, as it was stated that the industry had already carried the burden of higher wages and dearer materials without increasing the price of the products and they were not in a position to carry the further impost of (3d a gallon. To hotelkeepers, buying their supplies in large quantities, the payment of the higher duty in the form of the increased wholesale prices represents a large aggregate sum. The question as to whether it should be passed on to the consumer is to be discussed at the meeting and, in some quarters, it is considered probable that the retail prices will be increased, at least in regard to bottled beer.