BREAD DELIVERIES.

Evening Star, Issue 25672, 21 December 1945, Page 8

BREAD DELIVERIES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —From henceforth, why blame the poor old baker for not being able to get fresh bread? If my memory serves me correctly, when Labour went into office in 1935, one of the planks of its policy was a 40-liour, five-day week. Until now, and for some years past, the 40 hours part of the scheme has been operating, but in those industries not connected with the war—and where overtime was worked and paid for—the 40 hours of service have been “ staggered ” over five and a-half days. Now it is proposed that tbo working week consist of five days only, and labour contracted for on a Saturday morning be paid for at over-time rates. “ Worn-out Pack Horse ’■’ admits that the bakers are entitled to a 40-hour week, but objects to carrying the bread home. Again, if my memory of written evidence serves me correctly, the early settlers, or some of them, packed 1001 b sacks of flour on their backs from Dunedin to Milton to make their bread, and we groan if we have to carry the made-up article from the corner store. I don’t know anything about the baking business, but it is my guess that if bakers’ costs have increased in the same ratio as those of other businesses, they won’t have a sufficient margin of profit to enable them to take up the resumption of deliveries—and the Government knows this. As usual, however, it “ passes the buck ” on to someone else, in .this instance publicly announcing that it is prepared to give the bakers more petrol and a license for tyres, so that they can deliver, knowing all the time that the industry simply can’t do it without an increase in charges. Instead of your correspondent rushing in and asking for more State-interference in the way of State bakeries—God forbid—he or she should study the underlying causes of the trouble “ Worn-out Pack Horse ”no doubt helped to put the Government into office, agreeing thereby with the principle of the 40-hour, five-day week and stabilisation, so-called. It is most unfortunate that your correspondent likes French and barracoota loaves in preference to Vienna and ordinary pan loaves, but to-assert that the bakers “ dish-up any sort of hash and call it a loaf ” is sheer nonsense. “ Worn-

out Pack Horse ” has a remedy if there is anything grossly wrong with the bread she gets. There are inspectors by the hundred checking up bn the bad, bold storekeeper and merchant to see that the poor little unionist is not robbed, and I don’t imagine the bakers are exempt from these pesty gentlemen. And the under-weight loaf is allowed by the Government. Government interference in all types of business activities is wholly responsible foi present shortages and poorquality goods, and if it socialised the bakery business, after tramping for bread, “ Worn-out. Pack Horse” would not have enough breath left to croak out a complaint, or be allowed to air it in your so-called Capitalist columns. Dictators don’t like criticism. As for N.Z. 2416413, I think, in fairness to the butchers, he should be told that they wanted to open their shops for a longer period during tho holidays, but their hands were forced by the union concerned. I can understand his annoyance, but might suggest he reconcile himself to facts, restrain his natural inclinations for good meat at this time of the year, and content himself with corned beef for Christmas. as I am doing.—l am. etc., Democrat. December 20.