VOLUNTARY RATIONING OF BEER.
Fro THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sta,—We can confirm your note in last week's issue that Sir Arthur Yapp suggested voluntary rationing of beer. Some five hundred of our workers had the pleasure of hearing an address f tom Sir Arthur Yapp at our works on Friday week. A number ef questions were handed in -before Sir Arthur arrived. Those who maintain that the worker will have his beer may be sur- prised to know that the second question on the list was, Why was grain and sugar still being diverted for liquor—is the beer con- sumer to be allowed less sugar P Sir Arthnr replied that as an ebstainer of long standing his position was difficult, but to be fair he must state that the brewer was the first to be rationed, and, speaking from memory, he said that before the war thirty- six million barrels were brewed, where now the number was only fifteen to sixteen millions. To this one of the workers remarked: "Yes; and in spite of this the brewer is making more profit than before the war." Sir Arthur added that many considered beer to be a food and was essential, but that food should be rationed whether taken as a liquid or a solid. "Should be" is not suffi- cient. "Must be" should be the word. Nobody wishes to deprive the workman of his beer if from custom he finds it essential to his well-being, but in fairness let us have fair rations all round. Another question may be of interest. The women workers asked how was a woman to obtain food when the shops were closed when they start a-nd leave work, and when the Saturday's supplies were sold. The reply was that it is proposed to open certain shops after 6 o'clock on two-days a week, or it might be Possible I) arrange for food to be purchased at the works canteen. In con- clusion, let me say that Sir Arthur Yapp's frank and genial manner made his visit very welcome to the workers.—I am, Sir,
W. M. line,
(Director, Riggs and Hill, Ltd.).
Crown Works, South Lambeth Road, &W. 8.
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