MILLERS’ AND BAKERS’ TRUST,

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 276, 30 November 1901, Page 3

MILLERS’ AND BAKERS’ TRUST,

ALLEGATION OF SMALL BAKERS,

REFUSAL TO SELL FLOUR.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. Tliero is a considerable howl from the email bakers at the combination of the Fiourmillers’ Trust and the New Zealand Master Bakers’ Association, which is to govern tho flour and bread market for the future. One of the local bakers outside the combine asserts that he personally interviewed several merchants who are agents for tho associated mills, and was told that they could not supply him with flour under tho new agreement, because he had reduced tho prico of his bread below the rate fixed by the Bakers’ Association. He sells at 2.jd per 21b loaf for cash, which he considers equal to 3d if booked for an indefinite time. Despito tho denial of tho master bakers that there is no intention to raise prices, the small bakers contended that it will affect trade, and tho public will suffer bocauso the prico of bread will bo kept up. They allege that it is simply a move to this end, and to shut up all thoso bakers who find they jran carl make their business pay by selling at id a loaf cheaper than the big bakers, ft is stated that tho Nelson, Wanganui, New Plymouth, and Napier bakers h ave declined to fall in with tho proposals of the combination.