MACHINERY V. MEN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 239, 2 July 1908, Page 8

MACHINERY V. MEN.

HAND-MADE BREAD CONDEMNED.

" Too little attention is given to the food supplies of the present day (writes a corresand, referring to tho-chief article of diet—bread—in particular,' much could be done .for • the benefit of the people if more stringent laws were 1 brought into force concerning. the sanitary conditions and surroundings of, some of tho present buildings used as bakeries. On tho other hand, much credit is due to a small—a very small —majority or tho bakers, not only of Wellington' in particular, but New Zealand in general, for tho efforts made to improve the present conditions, .by keeping .their promises clean and lip to date. The- introduction of machinery is in many cases responsible for this; and this being so, why should. the primitive methods of our forefathers still bo adhered to —tho mixing of-dough by hand? In one case in New Zealand, the whole family of .a certain baker died of consumption, a complaint of which tho baker himself suffered and ultimately died. At any rate, whethor the disease consumption is contagious or not, it does not increase one's appetite to know that the staple articlo of food is handled unnecessarily by any one. Especially when one knows it can bo avoided by tho use of machinery capable of turning out 20,000 loaves in eight hours, and Iranian hands do not touch either flour, dough; or bread from the time the flour enters the huge compartment to bo.sifted, thencato. another compartment,

m whioh just enough water is automatically added for the kneading of tho dough. The fermentation is automatic, also as is tho weighing and shaping of the loaves, which slide, along on moving trays in tho great ovens, which aro heated to a nicety to allow of tho bread being done to a turu. Should machinery of this sort be introduced into a city liko Wellington, two eight-hour shifts could produce tho wholo supply necessary for . city and suburbs, and, instead of tiie public having to pay for the wear, tear, and labour of,the many horses, carts, and men, as at present, the whole tiling could lie done systematically, cheaper to employer and tho public. Of course, it is only a matter of time and the innovation must come. Why wait? po ifc now." < Speaking of the baking machine mentioned in the cablegram from Sydney received by Mr. Kellow, a trades unionist (not a baker) remarked; to .1 reporter : that it might not reach here safely. "It might get wrecked on the way over."