Rise of Halfpenny In Price of Bread

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 4

Rise of Halfpenny In Price of Bread

MINISTER’S DECISION

(Special to “Times.")

WELLINGTON, Last Night

The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sulfivan) to-day issued the following statement in reference to the prico of bread in Napier and Palmerston North:—

“The Board of Trado (Bread Price) Regulation, 193(5, had the effect of holding all bread prices at tho standard prices ruling on February 8 except in tho four main centres and a few other towns whero the prices were fixed upon a common basis. Palmerston North aud Napier, however, were two localities in which a severe price was was in operation at the time and consequently under the regulations prices became stabilised or held at a level which was definitely uneconomic. In fact, an investigation made under the authority of tho Minister of Industries and Commerce showed that bread was being sold at prices below the cost of production and, further, there had since been, an advance in the price of flour over the flourmillcrs’ cut rates which had been ruling. “As this was clearly an impossible position, the Minister, with a full knowledge of the facts placed before him, had agreed in respect of these two centres that there should be au immediate advance of Ad in the price of bread which would bring the prices up to the following levels: —For the 21b. loaf, cash or booked, over the counter, 5Jd; cash or booked, delivered, (id; and wholesale to stores, 5d net. These new prices operate as from March 28." Nothing- to Say Members of the bakery trade in the city refused to be tempted into commenting on tho nature of the advance in price fixed by the Government although it is known that while it may pull them out of the price-cutting mire of their own creation, something higher than a half-penny per 21b. loaf was desired to meet tho extra costs resulting from the guaranteed wheat price scheme and other incidentals. Bread Workers ’ Wages INCREASE OP lIALF-A-CROWN WEEKLY AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, March 27. A decision to increase by half-a-crown weekly the minimum wago for workers has been reached by the Auckland Master Bakers’ Association, which is circularising bread makers requesting tho immediate operation of the amended scale. Mr. Claude Cowan, president of the Auckland Master Bakers’ Association, has been appointed representative of the North Island bakers on the Government’s Wheat and Flour Committee, j