MEETING OF LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5436, 29 August 1878, Page 3

MEETING OF LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

A meeting of licensed victuallers was held at the Star Hotel yesterday afternoon. The President of the Association, Mr. Maginity, was in the chair, and said that at the last mectl g of the Association it was resolved that the members should not meet again until the next general meeting ; ns, however, there was likely soon to be s-une discussion on the lately imposed beer tax, It had been arranged to meet to-day. They had invited the different brewers to atten but he was sorry to see so few present. Probably, however. it was not convenient for those gentlemen to attend. • ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £7 18s. Gd. were ordered to bo paid. On the motion of Mr. Coker, it was resolved, — That the Association refund Mr, Maginlty the sum of £B, which ho had paid from his own pocket in connection with a banquet that took place twelve months ago. ' The Treasurer stated that there was £lO2 Is, in the bank to the credit of the Association. THE ÜBEtt TAX. Mr. Coker said, from what ho could see with regard to the beer tax, that tire brewers wore placed In much about the same position as the publicans. They had waited on tho Government, and had received no definite answer. Ho considered it a very unjust tax. He thought, however, that tho consumer would not bo affected by it, unless in those houses where the beer was sold at Bd. Mr, Martin said that there was a meeting of hotelkeepers held last week at To Aro, when it was resolved to raise the price of beer. Ho thought the tax only affected tho 'etailera. Mr. Urwin thought that if tho tax of lid. per gallon on beer became law tho publicans shou’d bo met half-way by tho brewers. Ho considered lb was iho brewers duty to assist the publicans. If tho tax were imposed it would bo felt moro by tho publicans at tho To Aro end of tho town than anywhere elso In the city, a* their business was cbielly confined to the boor, trade alone. Mr. Maoinity suggested that tho members wo e probably rather hasty in their remarks, as tho BUI had not yot passed Parliament. He thought that tho brewers might bo prepare ! to make some uvorturea to tho a sembly. Ho saw some of them, presen I, and would ask them to express an opinion on the subject. Mr. McCarthy said ho had been informed on reliable information that the majority of tho members of tho Assembly were opposed totheßiU. He thought in a few days they would hoar something reliable 1 from tho Government. - • , • Mr. Mag unity thought it would bo advisable under the circumstances to adjourn the meeting until some*

thing definite was heard from tho Government, and hen ask the brewers to join them. Mr. Dress moved, and Mr. Gillespie seconded,--That before tho Association take any steps in the matter, information be received from the brewers as to what they were going to do concerning the beer tux. Mr. XTrwin moved as an amendment,—'That the brewers and 1 censed victuallers of the city exert themselves to prepare a memorial to present to the House of Representatives, requesting them to consider a modified! >n of the t’X on beer. He thought that both the licensed victuallers a d brewers were combined, and would work in unison concerning the matter, and he considered it was time they made their powers known and felt. Probably Parliament did not know there was such a body in Wellingto . In some little time t eve might be another election, and then they could put their shou der to the wheel and let Parliament see whether or not they bad any nterest. Mr. Maoinixy hoped that the members did not think that the Association were all powerful. They were only a section of the community, and were entitled to some consideration. He hoped that they were not looked upon as a strong political body, and ho would not like such a belief to get abroad. He considered that a deputation of a few members of the Association, together with the brewers, would do more good than any memorial. . Mr. IlßwiNthen withdrew his amendment, and the meeting adjourned.