BAKERS AND THE LOAF.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 67, 19 March 1915, Page 3

BAKERS AND THE LOAF.

I SATISFIED FOR THE MOMENT. FUTURE DEPENDS ON PRICE OF FLOUR. Early last* month the price ot tat 21b loaf was raised in Auckland to od, since when the Prime Minister has announced that if any further increase takes place in the price of bread the Government will establish bakeries, in the four principal centres. Last night the Master Bakers' Association met- to consider the position, and it was decided that no further increase should be made at present, notwithstanding that since the last_rise in bread the local quotation for flour bad increased from £15 10/ to £17 per ton. Even at this latter price, it is stated by 'members of the Master Bakers' Association, local mills are not able to.supply the requirements of city bakers, who have been obliged to obtain supplementary supplies' from southern millers at ,£lB 10/ per ton. It is estimated that the present average cost of flour [ is '. £18 per ton, and the , argument advanced by the, bakers is that. th» increaee upon • the price of six weelar back would,, under normal have justified a further increase in the price of bread. The meeting.last night, however, considered that the general financial situation rendered, it desirable to defer a further advance as long as possible, although the hardening- tendency in the price of flour would j probably compel bakers to make an- : other increase eventually. It is contended that the importations of Canadian wheat have not greatly relieved the existing conditions, as only a small quantity of it was cold at the price fixed, namely, £14 10/ per ton. As a matter of fact private importations from Canada are declared to have been more successful than the Government venture, as such flour was delivered to the bakers at £16 10/ per ton. Discussing the threat by the Prime Minister that if a farther advance occurs in the price of bread the State will establish bakeries in the principal centres, members of the Association generally scout the idea as being bluff. "But if the Government decides to establish State bakeries there is no more to he said about it. The whole question hinges upon whether the State is prepared to sell bread at a loss or at a profit. We arc unable to contemplate selling it at a loss," they say.