BREAD DELIVERIES

Grey River Argus, 19 November 1946, Page 7

BREAD DELIVERIES

The Nationalists would have people believe that the responsibility for non-delivery of bread can be laid at the door of the Government.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The Government has made and will make every effort to bring about the resumption’ of bread deliveries.

One Aim —to embarass the Government: The bakers appear to have one aim—to embarass the . Government. The question of service for the consumer is apparently of no importance. Since the eve of the war they have fallen back on at least five separate lines of defence and are still holding out. Not Enough Petrol: In the first instance, the bakers said that petrol licenses were inadequate. —The Government offered whatever licenses the bakers required to resume deliveries. Insufficient tyres: The petrol problem having been quickly disposed of, the bakers then stressed that the tyre shortage militates against resumption of deliveries. —The Government immediately accorded high tyre priorities for bakers willing to deliver. A Fantastic Claim: Meanwhile the bakers were appealing to the Price Tribunal for a delivery charge of 4.365 d per 21b, loaf (a charge approaching the cost of the loaf itself). Naturally the Price Tribunal turned down this fantastic claim but did grant an increase. Price Tribunal’s Increase: The Price Tribunal agreed to the following increases—<2lb. and 4ib. loaves: Where a delivery system was in existence on September 1,1939, whatever prices or terms operated then can now be increased by: Ud per 21b. loaf; Id per 41b. loaf. The 11b. Loaf: Whether deliveries were being made on 1/9/39 or not, a maximum charge of id for delivery, or 2d for booking and delivery, may be made. If on 1/9/39 a baker was charging more than the above, that price can remain unaltered. The Last Ditch: Their exorbitant claim for 4.365 d delivery charge having been exposed and refused, the bakers then stated that they would not be in a position to resume deliveries ’-until two industrial awards had passed the Arbitration Court. These awards concerned are the Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Award and the Drivers’ Award.

What Happens in Auckland: It must be pointed out that Auckland bakers have, on the basis of a voluntary zoning system, made deliveries throughout the war and are still doing so. The Government’s Alternative: Said the Price Minister, speaking at St. John’s Hall, Wellington, on 31st. October: “The Government would use not .only persuasion, but also what power it had to see that delivery of bread was resumed.” (Dominion, 1/11/46). 'The Minister of Transport (Hon. J. O’Brien) announced on the same day that he considered “household deliveries should be resumed and that if after a period of trial it was found that there were losses that should not be legitimately borne by the bakers, the Government would be prepared to meet those losses.”— (Evening Post, 31/10/46). Every assistance has been granted them so that they can supply this very necessary service to the consumer. If the bakers are not prepared to carry out their much-boosted sei'vice to the customer, the Government will take over the. job.