BREAD PRICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 13

BREAD PRICES

BAKERS CONCERNED

Concern at the low price at which the trade was allowed to sell bread to resellers was expressed by Mr. W. A. Kellow, president of the Wellington Master Bakers' Union, at the annual meeting. At the present time the price showed a loss, he said, and in Wellington it was only by the private delivery trade that the bakers could remain in business. Whereas the price was still the same as that fixed in February, 1936, costs of manufacture had since increased as a result of dearer flour, higher wages, restricted hours, and increased delivery costs.

The whole union was staggered at the time by the price fixed by the Government for sale to retailers, which was id per 21b loaf less than was previously received. When it was seen that the trade was suffering through the injustice the Government, in August, allowed the bakers 5d net. Resellers in turn sold at 5Jd net, and the minimum price for delivery was fixed at 6d per 21b loaf. The last was a move in the right direction, but to compensate bakers generally it was agreed that the delivery price should be 6id. During the past year the executive of the Wellington union had worked hard to convince the Government that the present price to resellers was not equitable, and had recently prepared at the invitation of the Department of Industries and Commerce balance-sheets and working accounts which clearly showed the position.

One compensation was the fact that all districts north of and including Johnspnville and Upper Hutt were successful in securing a higher level than that ruling in town. It was hoped that the city price also would be reviewed. The Government was acquainted with the high costs faced by the trade, and would, they hoped, in the near future sanction a rise in the price of bread.