THE BAKER GRIEVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 289, 5 December 1889, Page 2

THE BAKER GRIEVANCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sm,—l am exceedingly glad you have introduced the question as to the position of bakers' employees for the consideration of the public. If there is one department of labour more than another that cails for the immediate sympathy of those who are capable of foaling the ordinary promptings of humanity, it is the unfortunate class who huve to earn their living as journeymen bakers. Wβ hear from time to time of other trades and combinations struggling,and veryoitonsucceßsful,in their eiibrte for reform in shortening the hours of labour, but we never hear of the bakers as a class attempting to ameliorate their condition to the extent of other trades. Is it the -wretched manner in which they are ground down that crushes the manhood out of them, and makes them indillerent as to their welfare in the future 1 If this is so, and I believe §uoh is the fact, it is tho imperative duty of the public to come forward and assist them in every possible w.ay ; more especially those who know what long hours of labour mean and have had concessions granted to them by their employers. It is a woil-estab-lished foot that it is quite possible for people, through long suffering, to become spiritless and apathetic as to what may lead to the improyemvnfc of their social position. Degrade a man by long hours of enforced labour, and he is very apb to lo?e his self-respect, has no desire to take advantage of any of the refining influences by which he is surrounded in various ways in the community. I have known instances where young men working at the baking business were desirous of improving their minds and mental faculties through debating societies and other channels by which information is gained, but had to give the laudable attempt up in despair through the shortness of tho rime at their disposal. In dealing with this matter, a great deal rests yith bakers themselves. Tljey must combine and eetablish unions throughout the colony for their mutual protection, and by this means they become strong and can dictate terms to those whoare not inolined, through selfish motives, to assist them, namely, ioirie of the employers. Another fchjng, they would be immediately strengthened by getting outside asaistarice ffprn the various other amalgamated trade union&i In conclusion, I would suggest they at once take action in the above direction, for they can accomplish very little without it.—l am, etc., 1 Shout Hours.

(To the Editor.)

Sib,—lt was with veiy great interest and feeling that I read your articles last evening and Monday on the condition of journeymen bakers, and. having been in close contact with them and the trade tor many yearsj and also given a good deal ot thought to the matter of human food sijppliee, should be very glad if I can in any way assist" in dealing with the .questions you rai?e. It is doubtless an evident' facj? that the baking 'trade; is: tpany years behind the £ge, and to my mind in the interests, of the bakers and;the public two ■fp'eab factors are urgently required— are' organisation ana machinery. Tα adjust the hoqrs of labour, organisation ie required both on the part of employers and jeurneymen, bat this i* Bcarcety' jrossible on the part of the joqrneyuien without help from others, as their eng&gemeolts leave them neither time nor opportunity for it, though no doubt if once put in working order they would be a,bie to sustain it. In the interests of public health no bread should be made without machinery. The reasons are plain, but it' is undesirable to go fully into detail until th<9 Public, is ready to apply the remedy. Every bakehonse should also be subject to competent inspection. The. question, however, which you no dotib.fcViaii tp 4ear«r.lbh is* how can the needful reforms be brought about ? I would suggest—first; let a public meeting" be called 3knd public interest aroused; then let a eoiall model bakery be established, Which could be doiie at trifling coijt. Then; when the appHgances were seen in operation and bread produced almost without touch of human hand every baker could at> little expense adapt his bakehouse to the n.ew styie, the work could be clone with greatly reduced labour, the hours proportionately shortened, an inspector could be appointed by law and the needed reforme would be, accomplished facts. •" .

I am aware that in Auckland we have or had afc leasb one bakery where the bread was mixed by machinery, ;jbu"i, I do nob. think the pufrhV- knows the difference between that >'■ \-od apd -the one in general use, whe;<..i.x an inspector's. repor,b, occasionally would' afc least give l&ejm. the' option of choice, bub I contend thai mixing by machinery is not sufficient, ' We nee.d a complete prpcesßj and. for ''our stounacbVsake" I hope ifc will soon bpinopoyatjp.n.—lain,.e,tc'.i Refqkji.