The Beer Tax.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2959, 9 August 1878, Page 2

The Beer Tax.

A meeting of publicans and others for the purpose of considering the recently imposed beer tax was held at the Governor Bowen Hotel this afternoon. Amongst those present we noticed—Messrs L. Ehrenfried, S. Coombes, Burton, Butler, Symington, O'Halloran, Mulligan, Dunn, Barty, J. 0. Williams, S. Young, W. Mahoney, Constant, Quint, McCannon, Graham and Manning.

Mr Burton, being roted to the chair, read the advertisement. As convener of the meeting he said it had arisen from a conversation some of the trade had yesterday. They had considered that the recent action of the Government was not in accordance with the utterances of the Premier or our other member.

Mr Ehrenfried said that it must strike them all as very peculiar, as the Premier had assured them that he would do all in his power to relieve the working classes of taxation, and make it fall on the more wealthy classes. A land tax was to be made, and it was being made, but it was only for £d per acre, which was a perfect sham. It had been considered well to put a tax on a local industry, which was not done in other Colonies. Although this tax was not much, it would most likely cripple the industry, as it was just the getting in of the thin end of the wedge. In lieu of the tax the Government took a half-penny per pound off sugar, which was only a half measure to play into the hands of the wholesale merchants. The consumers would not benefit by it at all. The quantity of sugar used by brewers in New Zealand was so small that the reduction of the duty would not pay them at all. Beer was the beverage of the working classes, and the tax would really fall on the consumers or lead to the manufacture of an inferior article. On the other hand they imposed a small additional tax on sparkling wines, which would only produce a few hundreds per annum. They should, use their best endeavors to induce their representatives to prevent this obnoxious tax from becoming law.

Mr Constant moved " That this meeting views with disfavor the attempt of the Legislature to impose a tax on any home manufactured article, considering the same inimical to the best interests of the ( donists, and opposed to the principles of protection which should be extended to such industries; that the - tax falls heavily upon the working classes, who will be called on to pay an increased price or accept an article inferior in manufacture ; that the proposed reduction in the tax on sugar is no equivalent to the tax on home manufactured beer, aud will not therefore compensate the manufacturer or dealer ; that thi.a meeting regards the imposition of the tax as contrary to the professions of sympathy with a class already overtaxed, and urge* its representatives to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the same becoming law."

Mr Butler seconded the resolution. He noticed that the Auckland brewers had raised the price of beer 2d per gallon, and it would ultimately fall on the retailer and consumer, lie spoke 01 the unfairness of taxing the working men, and letting the rich off 1 for fear of their adverse influence.

Mr Young remarked that Mr Ehrenfried deserved credit for being present, but the other brewers deserved censure for failing to attend. Publicans were heavily taxed already, and he thought if -all the publicans in tie Colony were united, they could make their weight felt. After a few remarks from Mr Ehren« fried— Mr Mulligan asked would it not be advisable to have a public meetiug of the consumers.

Mr Constant thought that it would not be advisable to call a public meeting, as the consumers did not not take any interest in what the publicans paid for the beer.

Mr Barty briefly supported the resolution, after which the motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Young proposed, and Mr Quint seconded, " That the resolution be sent to Sir George Grey and Mr Kowe." This was carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.