BREAD DELIVERY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22626, 1 May 1948, Page 3

BREAD DELIVERY

SOUGHT WOMAN’S OBJECTIONS TRIBUNAL’S HEARING (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 1, An increase of Id per loaf in the charge for delivery of bread to private homes was sought by the New Zealand Federation of Master Bakers and pastrycooks at a public sitting of the Price Tribunal yesterday. Mr. H. M. Rogcrson, who appeared for the federation, proposed that the increase should be granted by way of subsidy so as to avoid passing on the charge to individual consumers. The tribunal reserved its decision. Mr. H. L. Wise, for the price control division of the Department of Industries and commerce, said the division had found increased costs in the delivery of bread and recommended that charges should be increased by id on a lib. loaf, id on a 21b. loaf and Id on a 41b loaf. This would bring the iota! delivery charges to Jd for lib. loaf, ljd for 21b. loaf, 3d for 41b. loaf. The division proposed to investigate the anomalies ruling in certain districts, its recommendations were made on the understanding that cases of individual hardship could be reviewed and recommended also that, to avoid costly overlapping, bakers shoudd voluntarily agree among themselves on a zoning system. Mesdames F. F. Gilmore, for the Wellington Housewives' Association, and M. E. Furey, for the Canterbury Housewives’ Union, both objected to the increase in th.e burden of cost on the housewife, particularly on housewives with large families to whom delivery was a necessity. Mrs. Gilmore said that men delivering bread in the Ilutt Valley districts were, generally speaking, satisfied with the present charges. She believed housewives should have the right to choose what make of bread they would take. A statement submitted for the Hutt Valley Co-operative Consumers Trading Society, gave details of to the gate coupon delivery system in the State housing areas. His Honour said that the decision would be reserved. There would be no undue delay on the part of the tribunal in reaching a decision, but if a suggestion for the application of a subsidy was to be considered it would have to go before the Government.