BEER STRIKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 October 1941, Page 7

BEER STRIKE

WEST COAST MINERS. OBJECT TO ABOLITION OF OLD CUSTOM. (Ey Telegraph—Press Association.) WESTPORT, October 2. The hotelkeeper at Burnett’s Face is working in the Westport Coal Company's mine as a result of a decision by local miners to observe a beer strike. This position has arisen through the action of district publicans in discontinuing the custom of giving drinks “on the house.” Until recently it was the practice in district hotels to give three sixpenny beers for a shilling. At a meeting of hotelkeepers, however, it was decided to discontinue the system of allowing the barman to “shout” the third beer, but, by way of compensation to customers, it was agreed to increase the size of the handle from lOoz to 12oz. The effect of this decision was to reduce the quantity of beer obtainable for Is from 30oz. to 240 z„ and the Burnett’s Face miners signified their disapproval by their decision to observe a beer strike. Miners in Denniston subsequently held a meeting to determine whether they would follow the lead of the Burnett’s Face men. Proceedings were adjourned while a deputation called on the local hotelkeepers to find out if they would agree to abide by the. decision of a Price Tribunal official. The. answer was in the affirmative, but the Denniston men, by a vote of 17 to 15, resolved that they would support the Burnett’s Face action by observing a beer strike themselves pending a definite decision by the hotelkeepers.