A MUNICIPAL BAKERY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15489, 17 January 1916, Page 5

A MUNICIPAL BAKERY.

HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL'S DECISION. The question of the establishment of a municipal bakery came up for discussion at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Council on Friday night, when Cr. Martell moved the following motion:— "In view of the fact that the bread supply of. Hastings is now vested in a commercial comb.inc running solely for the purpose of private profit, the time has arrived when, in order to safeguard the public, the Council should undertake a municipal bakery, and that a committee be set up to thoroughly investigate the matter and report to the Council within one month." Speaking to the motion, Cr. Martell said he was not one of those who believed in monopoly, or in the State diving into all sorts of trade enterprises. but when an industry, which had so vital a bearing on the peopie as the bread industry, was controlled by a trust, he thought it was time something was done to protect the people. He had no personal animosity against those astute men who had brought about the trust. This commercial combine appeared to him to be an attempt to secure large and additional , profits far and away above those which would be gained in the ordinary course of trade. Cr Sladdison said his own opinion was that if the'people were being exploited, it was a matter for the Government to deal with. The Mayor said at the present time he was not favourably disposed to the proposal, but he had an open mind. The motion was carried.