ELUSIVE BAKERS

Evening Star, Issue 25950, 15 November 1946, Page 6

ELUSIVE BAKERS

FURTHER DELIVERY DELAY SECURED HOUSEWIVES CHARGE DELIBERATE EVASION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. In the opinion 'of the Wellington Housewives’ Association, the decision of the Master Grocers’ Association to continue stocking bread until March, 1947, has again postponed the date on ■which bakers must accept full responsibility for the service they owe to tile public. This view is'expressed in a statement issued by the Housewives’ Association to-day. “ The argument offered by the bakers to the Grocers’ Association all the appearance of deliberate evasion,” the statement says. “ The length of notice given by the grocers—September 11 to December 31—was surely adequate if the baking industry had made _ any serious attempt to produce a delivery scheme. The question of deliveries has been brought before the industry for the last 18 months, and l the Housewives’ Association can only consider that the further three months’ notice will be taken by the bakers as a further opportunity for doing nothing. The plea of shortage of labour and of suitable vehicles is a problem facing every industry in the country, but the Housewives’ Association has no evidence that the Wellington master bakers have made any honest endeavour to tackle the problem. “ Bakers in Auckland can find vans and men,” the statement continues. “ Hew many Wellington bakers have made application for new vans, or advertised for drivers? The Government has publicly stated that every assistance will be given to find vans. How many bakers have asked the Minister of Transport for assistance in resuming their service? “ How many vans already in the possession of bakers could be put on the roads if the bakers were honestly trying to serve the public? The time now seems to be more than opportune for the housewives and the. Government of the country to make clear to the Wellington bakers that they can no longer maintain this un-co-oiperativo attitude of defiance of the public interests.”