PRICE OF BREAD IN N.Z. “TOO LOW”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29906, 21 August 1962, Page 7

PRICE OF BREAD IN N.Z. “TOO LOW”

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 20. The price of bread was too low for a country with New Zealand’s prosperity and for workers receiving their present incomes, said Mr R. M Barker, managing-secretary of the New Zealand Master Grocers’ Federation, today He was making submissions to the committee of inquiry into the wheat, flour, and bread industries in New Zealand. The committee will sit for the rest of the week The federation realised that subsidies payable on bread were not only an economic issue but involved the question of political expediency, said Mr Barker. “We are wise-enough to know that any increase in bread prices could well become a political football.” He said the federation was more concerned with the wastage of bread than it was with any question of economic aspec’s or with political expediencies. "There are few families who are not guilty of some waste." he said.

In support of the federation's contention that bread prices were too low. he submitted the following comparative prices for a 21b loaf: 7jd in New Zealand. Is 2Jd in Australia, IOJd in South

Africa, lljd in England. 2s 2Jd in Canada, and 3s in the United States.

The fixed . price of milling wheat bought from the farmer should be discontinued Mr A. J. Sinclair, secretarymanager of the Northern Roller Milling Company. Ltd., told the committee.

Mr Sinclair said the present system of fixing prices and quotas created many problems which should not exist.

Millers should be free to produce flour at a price sufficient to give a reasonable return.