THE MAYOR’S BEER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 723, 26 December 1933, Page 6

THE MAYOR’S BEER

PALMERSTON NORTH'S CHIEF MAGISTRATE DID NOT LIKE THE BRAND. palmerston N., Wednesday. Ati yesterday's meeting of the eommittee of the Manawatu A. and P. Association the following letter was reeeived from Mr. A. E. Mansford: — "The secretary, Manawatu and WJest Coast A. and P. Association, P.O. Box 85, Palmerston North. — De,a.r Sir, — 'Re Spring Show donations: Your memo of the 9th inst. duly to hand. For many years I have been a k-een supporter of the_ Show as well as being a member, and as you know for some time have contributed an annual donation. On this occasion I am refusing a donation as a protest for the treatment a company (the Midland Brewery Co. Ltd.) I am interested in, reeeived at the last Show. I think in the whole 27 years I have been here I have only visited ■the public booth twice, the last occasion being the recent Show. On going into the booth I was surprised to see no Midland beer on the shelves. On asking for same it was produced from under the couater, where the general public have no opportunity of seeing it. . . . I am sorry to have to take up this attitude, but neeessity compels me so that the matter may be brought before the committee. — lYours faithfully, A. E. Mansford." November 15, 1933. "I view this letter with very great apprehension and I would like it given to the Press, because I consider that such a letter, coming from the Ghief Magistrate of a city which has risen to be what it is through agriculture, and whose very existence depends on agricultural and pastoral pursuits, is not worthy of a fourth standard schoolboy; and that to send it to this association over a bottle of beer is very bad taste," stated Mr. H. J. Lancaster. There was, he continued, apparently some feeling existing between the city and the association. The citizens of Palmerston North should realise that the success of their businesses was achieved through the agricultural pursuits in the country. They should rally round and help the association. The showing of animals was esesntial to demonstrate the advances in breeding and type. Ddd a businessman not display his goods? Those in the country looked at them and bought them. He had nothing against the city, but A. and P. Associations throughout the world to-day were facing the trouble tha.t the public demanded thrilling entertainment besides the exhibition of stock. No one would weleome m,ore than the speaker suggestions and support from the city. (Mr. W. B. Tennent: The fact that. this letter cornes from the Mayor is important, and we will probably be asked to take some action. I would like it read. The letter was read,. the president

(Mr. D. Buchanan) explaining that it did net come from Mr. Mansford as Mayor, but in a private capacity. "There was evidently no Midland beer on view," added Mr. Buchanan. "If I had been there it would all have been gone the first day." Mr. E. Mabin asked if it was the 'committee's function to go aroi^nd and see if all these beers were lined up in the bar. (Mr. Buchanan: I would not mind, as long as I could sample them. Mr. W. G. Black said the committee had not the right to interfere in the booth once the license was granted. Messrs. M. A. Conway and T. R. Hodder spoke in favour of no report appearing in the Press, and Mr. Tennent favoured interviewing Mr. Mansford privately regarding the matter. It was decided to write to Mr. Mansford explaining the circumstances concerning which he had complained.