THE PRICE FACTOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22657, 19 February 1937, Page 10

THE PRICE FACTOR

MASTER BAKERS' VIEWS STATEMENT BY ASSOCIATION BOARD'S POLICY CRITICISED The Auckland Hospital bread contract ivas discussed yesterday at a meeting :jf tho Auckland Master Bakers' Association. A statement was authorised by the executive, and was later issued by the secretary, Mr. S. S. Green, who said'that no member of the association was connected with the existing contract, or with tho supplying of bread for recipients of relief in Auckland. "It must be frankly admitted that last season was a very difficult one for wheatgrowers, owing to weathei* conditions, but New Zealand millers, assisted by the Wheat Research Institute, have done well with the materials available," tho statement said. "While it would be foolish to suggest that the resultant flour is equal to, say, Canadian, it is such that, in tho hands of a competent tradesman supplied with tho necessary ingredients, it is possible to make a good-quality loaf. "The, Department of Industries and Commerce has conducted a searching inquiry into tho cost of manufacture of bread, and has fixed the wholesale price at such a level that it would be impossible for anyone to produce and supply a good-quality article below that figure. We definitely resent any attempt to cast a reflection on all bakers, and to attack the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in an endeavour to support the case of attempting the impossible.. "No one knows better than the Minister himself that only the very efficient baker can exist on the present regulated prices. How, then, can such an institution as tho Public Hospital hope to secure the quality article that it should, by adopting a cheese-paring policy on the question of price? "When it comes to the matter of buildings, fabulous sums are suggested, but in the matter of bread, the supply is taken from the lowest bidder. Evidently the obvious has happened. Does the hospital adopt this policy with its medicinal supplies or its surgical equipment?"