THE BAKERS' ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 11681, 13 February 1902, Page 3

THE BAKERS' ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL INTERVIEW WITH MR M'GLASHAN. THE PRESS REQUESTED TO RETIRE. At the request of the Dunedin Master Bakers' Association, Mr L. W. M'Glashan waited upon the preskStent and vice-presi-derrt of that body yesterday at the office of their secretary (Mr B. T. Ringer). The interview was arranged for 4 p.m., and when Mr M'Glashan entered the room at that hour the president (Mr J. G. Laurenson) and the vice-president (Mr T. S. Searle) plied him with rapid questions regarding statements contained in an interwith a 'Star' reporter, a report of which appeared; in our Saturday's issue. Mr Laurenson opened the proceedings by abruptly asking: "Are you Mr M'Glashan?" Mr M'Glashan: I am. Mr Laurenson: Whom do you represent?

Mr- M'Glashan: I represent the Northern Milling Company. Mr Lunrenson: Well, we want to know whether you are prepared to support the statements contained in a report of an interview with a 'Star' reporter. Mr M'Glashan: Excuse me; I don't quite comprehend the nature of this meeting. 1 observe some gentlemen present taking notes, and 1 presume they are Press reporters. Mr Searle (ignoring the reference to the Press): Tho Bakers' Association have nothing whatever to do with the millers' combination. As an association we have found it advisable and to our advantage to work with them; but we have no agreement. The Mdlers' Association have nothing to do with fixing the price of bread. In the interview you gave some figures which:

Mr M'Glashan: If you cpsire me to go into figures it may do you more harm than good. You 'have invited me here to what I thought was a private interview, and when I arrive 1 find the Press admitted, and 1 know nothing about it. If you want a private interview with me I can give vou figures that will satisfy you. But while the Press are present I think I will not go further. Suppose, for instance, I were to say that yon are making an exorbitant profit at the present time, it would be better that- such a statement should be discussed in private. I will not say anything while the Press are present beyond 'this: That 1 am not here to oppose the bakers, but- to oppose the milling combine. At the request of the officials of the Association the reporters here retired, and the conference proceeded for some time. the- voices of the speakers at times being lend and declamatory.

After the lapse of* some time, the Press was again admitted, and the result of the deliberations was supplied to them. From this it appeared that considerable discussion* had taken place over Mr M'Glasban's statement that 6d ])er 41b loaf wouk' give a baker a. return of £l7 10s per floor. This return was based upon 700 loaves to the ton, and in explanation of this Mr M'Olashnn said to the reporters : "When I made that rough statement I was thinking of Auckland Champion ttonr. which will give that return. 1 understand that your Southern .(lour will not give the same results. The Master Rakers' Association inform me lliat- the Southern Hour only returns 660 loaves, but a. hiker of fifty years' experience says it will give, 670 loaves. 1 have decided to waive that question, but run prepared to siy thai Auckland Hour will give the rcturr. In my interview 1 made a miscalculation when saying the bakers' profit, from an increase of 4d per loaf is 355. On a basis of 700 loaves it. would be £1 0s 2d In the course of an informal conversational discussion Mr M'(rbshn* further stated that Southern lionr was being sold in Auckland at £6 10s per ton. delivered at the bakehouse, not f.o.b. at. Lyttelton. and thai the object of selling \t at that price/ was to force the Northern millers to join the Southern millers' He further stated that Anekland flour was selling in Auckland a fortnight asio— when he left--a I £7 12s per ton. At the special roquost of the vice-presi-dent r>f the Rakers' Association we publish the following comparison of flour and bread prices in the four chief centres: - Anekland: Bread, S'l; flour, £6 10s and £7 12s. We'lliuglon : Rread. 6d : flour, £7 10s (f.o.b. Lytteltnnl. Chrisichurcb : Bread. 6d ; flour, £7 10s. Duncdin: Bread! flour. £3 ss. On the basis of the figures given, Mr Searle says Duncdin bakers are srcil-Tisr £2 4s 2d per ton less profit than the Chri.stclmreh bakers. Mr iSearle also handed 1o the Press the following tabulated statement:--SfatcmcMl of l-:on Br<-r>d Trade in OimeHin. Receipts. Rnr tons flour, yielding 670 loaves per

Un:-~ 2.680 ;il. 5ifl. Ir-s ;r] »»r-r loaf allowed to *.|or:\?, rr-t uiraiHs. olr £:<3 12 6 2'. discount on "osl nf Hour (£33)... 0 16 6 43 nmptv wicks, at- '.'>](\ • •• ° 12 6 £f,0 1 6 Expenditure 9 0 WeeMv profit £ 2 12 6 Expenditure. Cost of flour £33 0 0 Foreman £3, second hm>d £2 10s. impr.rvw £1 10s. carters £2 10s. £2. £2 13 1° 0 Kent, bakery :m<.; stable 1 10 (i Coal, wood 1 6 Pota.tocs ° 12 6 Salt, yeast- lard ° lb 0 Tools ,-»ricl repairs to ovens 0 6 0 Gas ° " 0 Four horses (food and bedding ~- 1 1? 0 Shoeing - " *? 0 Wear and tear horseflesh - — 0 w 0 Wear and tear carts and harness ... 1 0 0 Stamps, stationery, books, and telephone ._ " u > Bad debts- - - - - 1 £ Insurance - " * Interest on capital ... — — — u iu 0 0 0 0 £57 9 0