BREAD AND THE "THIRD PARTY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 88, 15 April 1931, Page 6

BREAD AND THE "THIRD PARTY."

The interesting conference with the Prime Minister on the price of wheat, flour and bread that was held in "Wellington this week lacked one essential. The wheat growers were there, the millers and bakers and South Island members of Parliament, but there was no representation of the great "third party" that has been so frequently ignored in such matters —the general public. Perhaps the South Island members of Parliament represented this "third party," but Ave should say their ear inclined more to the plaint of the wheat growei*. North Island members do not seem to have been invited, but the North Island does not grow wheat; it only eats bread. The upshot of this consultation appears to be that there will be a reduction in the price of bread—next February. The Mikado, one remembers, sympathising with the innocently offending Ko-Ko, promised to amend the Act in question—next session. It is satisfactory to know that representatives of the wheat and flour and baking interests recognise that the public should be considered, but it is very doubtful whether the public will be satisfied with the foreshadowed reduction of a penny or a penny half-penny in the price of bread a year hence. It is explained that the farmers are working under a guarantee for this season's crop. But supposing that in the meantime the Arbitration Court reduces wages in the milling and baking trades, and in trades that affect the cost of milling and baking, will the public get no benefit in lower bread prices? The outstanding consideration is that wages are now falling, so flour and bread prices should fall with them. To ask wage-earners to take less wages, and to continue for a considerable period to pay the same artificial price for their bread, is to ask too much.