My attention has been drawn to a letter from Mr McLatchie in the March 14th issue, saying : "Colour discrimination is alive and thriving in New Zealand Breweries......".

The basis of Mr McLatchie's allegation — a quite unfounded one — is a discussion he had with one of our personnel officers, while ascertaining employment possibilities for a Mozambique citizen.

After indicating that all job applicants must be interviewed in person in New Zealand, our personnel officer then proceeded — in an effort to be helpful — to find out whether the likely applicant would, in fact, be able to emigrate to New Zealand. This is, of course, a matter for Government — not us, and it was perhaps unwise, as things turned out, to try and be helpful.

Among our 5,000 employees are people of many races, creeds and colours : we cannot say what the different proportions are, as we do not distinguish one group from another. All are treated similarly as to wages, working conditions and opportunities.