THE PRICE OF CAKES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 191, 13 August 1919, Page 9

THE PRICE OF CAKES.

(To the Editor.) "Sir,—ln your i-sue of 29th ult. there appeared a telegraphic report from Wellington under the heading of "Cost ot Living," publishing certain statements made by the Rev. J. C. Chapman from the pulpit of the Wesley Methodist Church, which serve to create the impression that the recent very necessary rise in the prices of most reluctantly made by the m;!£ter bakers ot Auckland was unwarranted; in fact, the reverend gentleman had no hesitation in classifying it as profiteering. In fairness to the trade, we ask space to endeavour to remove any false impression likely to be created by the statements.

In the first place, it should be explained that during the whole four and a-'na'if years of the war the price of cakes has remained stationary, viz., 1/ per dozen, in spite of the fact that the cost of production has been constantly on the increase. Unlike other traders, who have gradually increased their prices, the bakers have carried the whole of the increases, the reason being that to increas: cakes by Id or 2d per dozen meant a fractional part of Id for a single cake; moreover, the bakers constantly deferred the matter, in the hope that the costs of some of the principal ingredients would fall, but costs still continued to soar, until the bakers found that they were actually manufacturing at a loss, which necessitated something being done.

Mr. Chapman speaks of the recent 5/ bonus granted to the workers, but omits to state that there was a previous increase of 10/ per week per man. Further, he is probably not aware that carters' wages have advanced from £2 8/ to £3 7/; that whereas formerly a horse could be fed for 15/ per weeje it now costs about £2; that coal, which was 24/ per ton, is now 44/; that gas, which was 4/2 per 1000, is now 0/0; that the price of paper bags advanced 75 per cont, string from lOd per ball to 2/10, wrapping paper from 3/3 per ream to 5/6, and benzine from 14/ per case to 23/S; while rents, rates, and taxes have also advanced.

Apart from these incidental charges, it might interest Mr. Chapman to read the following advances in the costs of materials used in the manufacture of cakes, which advances the bakers of Auckland are endeavouring to meet by an additional charge representing 33 1-3 per cent: Flour, from £9 5/ to £15 12/ not (has .lioeu as high as CIS 10/): sticar. £18 to £24; ei;gs. lOd per doz. to 1/9; butter, lOd to 1/6 lb; lard. 7d per IJ> to 1/2 1 eultanasj 3d to. Bid lb j[next

shipments, lOid lb) ; currants, 3d to 8d; peel, 44d to lid; cherries, lOd to 2/5; walnuts, 1/ to 2/-1; milk, 9d to 1/7 per gal; etc., etc.

In view of those facts we submit that the Rev. Chapman's utterances, publiclymaligning a body of traders who have during the war endeavoured to carry an impossible burden, were unwarranted and uncalled for, and we maintain that the Auckland bakers have not sought to obtain more than a reasonable price for their commodity, which is distinctly a luxury. The housewife who goes into figures knows that with, the present higb cost of ingredients, and allowing for the laibour, firing, etc., it is cheaper to purchase her requirements from the baker, even at the price of 1/4 per dozen.—l am, etc., AY J. LOGAN", Secretary, the Auckland Master Bakers' Association. • ■