BELIEF SOUGHT BY BAKERS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23130, 20 September 1940, Page 11

BELIEF SOUGHT BY BAKERS

CASE TO GO TO PRICE TRIBUNAL

DIFFICULTIES IN INDUSTRY QUOTED

o Considering that unless immediate relief can be obtained, either through a reduction in the cost, of flour or an adjustment of broad prices, the New Zealand Council of the-Master Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Association has decided to make a complete investigation of the difficulties at present facing the industry for presentation to the Price Tribunal with a view to securing relief. . ■ . , Reviewing the position of the bakers throughout New Zealand after a conference held in Christchurch this week, the Dominion president (Mr W. S. N. Rennie) said that the trade had derived benefit from tine Bread Price Regulations, which are fully appreciated, but the general cumulative increases in costs had brought the position to one of extreme urgency for the average baker. , A positive expression of loyalty in this time of war had been given by the industry from time to time, but it was apparent that under present conditions bakers had insufficient margin with which to carry on. When the public considered the very small cost of the broad consumed, compared with the cost of other commodities, it would be in complete sympathy with the endeavours of the bakers to obtain a reasonable return for their labour, Mr Rennie safd. Various Government departments had been approached in an effort to obtain some degree of relief, and it was now proposed to engage a public accountant to present the case for the industry, on the ground that for a lon-' time the trade had continued to maintain its standard of production, but that the time had now come when higher prices or lower costs must be put into operation if bakers were to continue in business at a reasonable standard of living. Rationalisatiori of the industry had been suggested as a means o£ reducing costs, but it was obvious that under this system tlie public could not obtain the selection in types and shapes of bread and service, all of which it desires, Mr Rennie said.