BREAD DELIVERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 279, 25 November 1938, Page 6

BREAD DELIVERY.

I read Mr. Matthews' interesting article re bread delivery, coet«, etc. He expressed the opinion that there is no necessity to reduce the cost of flour or increase the price of bread, and says that all that ici necessary is to zone the deliveries. I would like to ask Mr. Matthews the following questions, and since he has expressed his opinion publicly, to reply in the same way. (1) How many calls would he suggest it was possible for the average bakers delivery man to make per hour? (-) What wages and hours j>er week should be fixed? (3) How does he propose to overcome the question of choice of bread? We may have a standard loaf both as regards quality and weight, but consumers will still have their own particular fancy. (4) What hours should deliveries start and finish? (5) Would the Bakers' Carters' Union bo prepared to take over the delivery of household bread, and, if so, at what figure per loaf or call? I am in favour of a zoned delivery system; one tliat would give all customers free choice of the brand or make they fancied. I believe that at least 25 to 30 per cent reduction in the number of cartere employed could be made, and deliveries could be speeded up. Of course, it would be quite possible and economical to go the whole hog and have one State bakery for the whole of Auckland and cut out all fancies. With a State bakery and State deliveries there would he no need for a union. Bakers and delivery men would become State emplovees under the control of the Minister of Industries. There would be no need for inspectors, shortweight scales, etc. All the difficulties of the trade would disappear, hundred* of employee.-' wages would be saved, costs reduced, qu'alitv improved and everyone would lie satisfied and happy except the cranks, and we do not need to worry about them. CITIZEX.