BAKERY TRADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 18 February 1939, Page 7

BAKERY TRADE

i MOVE TO LOWER COSTS. NO RETURNS OF STALE BREAD. Per Press Association. AVELLINGTON, Feb. 16. Stating the reason for the regulations gazetted to-day prohibiting the return of stale bread to bakers by retailers, Hou. D. G. Sullivan (Alinister of Industries and Commerce) said that for some time past representations had been made by the Now Zealand Alastcr Bakers’ Federation for some measure of relief to bakers to compensate them for tho increased costa. “An extensive investigation has just been completed by the department,” said tho Alinister, “and the result shows that while costs vary very considerably as between individual, bakers and as between different cities and towns, nevertheless costs generally sjieaking have increased to somo extent, principally caused by wage increases. The Government has decided to grant relief to the bakers to this extent. The .proposals which, will be put into effect immediately do not involve any increase in the price of bread to the public. REAIOVAL OF ANOMALIES. . “The position will be met in two ways —firstly, by an adjustment of flour prices charged, to bakers, and by th© removal of certain anomalies which have existed in respect of bakers in certain places as regards the relation of bread prices to Hour prices; and secondly, by the passing of regulations prohibiting the return of stale bread to bakers. The department’s investigations have revealed that there is a largo economic waste here, and this has the effect of increasing bakers’ costs by a substantial amount. “The gain which will accrue to bakers generally from such regulations, together with the adjustments and the removal of the anomalies referred to, will be sufficient to compensate them for cost increases and will remove certain disparities which have existed in the relative position of bakers in different parts of the country. The regulations will have the effect of making the return of stale bread to the bakers an offence.” “The public need not fear that the new regulations will adversely affect tho service given by Lakers, either to retailers or to the public, or that the ability of either to obtain their full requirements of bread will be impaired in any way. A definite assurance has in fact lieen given to the Government by the New Zealand Alaster Bakers’ Association, and bv the various provincial associations., that the normal ability of the public to obtain their requirements of bread from resellers will not be prejudicially affected. The elimination of the present waste resulting from the return of stale bread, should rather make for improved service and reduced costs, and from the health and hygienic point of view there is no question that the new regulations represent a substantia] step forward in tlie development of the bread industry.”