WHEAT AND BREAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 86, 13 April 1931, Page 4

WHEAT AND BREAD.

POSITION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. CONSUMER MAKES UP PRICE. Details concerning the scheme whereby the New South Wales Government has sought to relieve the farmers in that State of the effect of low wheat prices are now available. In Sydney the price of bread has been raised by %d per 21b loaf, making the price as follows:—Shop sales, 5d a loaf; cash off cart, sVzd; delivered and booked, 6d. The wholesale price will be 4/6 a dozen loaves. ■ All flour stocks have been taken over by the Government tinder the terms of the Flour Acquisition Act. The flour was taken over at £7 5/ a ton, and will be sold back to the bakers at £10. The increase in the price of bread, according to the secretary of the Master Bakers' Association, was made as a result of the increase of £2 15/ a ton in the price of flour. The Executive Council of the State Government has approved of appointment of a committee decided upon by Cabinet to fix the price of bread and the byproducts of wheat. T,he Minister of Labour (Mr. Baddeley) does not consider the increase in the price of bread justified, and therefore, has referred the question to the Special Committee appointed by the Government for inquiry. The price of wheat in New South Wales is disastrously low for producers at 2/2 per bushel. In order to help them the State Govenment has brought in legislation by which it acquires all stocks of flour above one ton at £7 5/ per ton, and sells it to bakers at £10. thus making all who eat bread or otherwise consume flour pay a toll. It will fall principally on the loaf, however, for all profits made by the Government in buying flour at £7 5/ per t6n and selling it at £10 per ton will be used for relief of wheat farmers. In Victoria the Millowners' Association has reduced the price of flour by 10/ a ton, and the price of pollard by 5/ a ton. The prices for these two products delivered in Melbourne and suburbs will be: Flour, £6 10/ a ton, pollard £4 10/ a ton. The association explains that these reductions have been made possible because of the elimination of 3/ a ton discount, the lessened risk of bad debts by the reduction in terms of payment to seven days and the reduction of 10 per cent in wages of mill employees.