THE PRICE OF FLOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4309, 19 March 1901, Page 6

THE PRICE OF FLOUR

THE MILLERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. ' WHAT ITS OBJECTS ARE. The objects of the New Zealand Flourmillers’ Co-operative Association, JAmiled, wiucli began operations on tno Ist mst., were explained to a representative of the “in ew Zealand Times’' yesterday, “It has been formed," said one of the members, “to j> re vent underselling on the part of the millers. As a matter of fact, some of-the mills have been, running at a loss, and we think that that ought not to continue.” “Will this mean the raising of the price of flour, then! 1 " “No; there is no intention on our part to raise the price of flour beyond a level sufficient to give a profit to the mills.” “Will the price be raised . beyond its present level?" “No, i think not—in fact, the price of flour shows a drop at present."

In answer to further inquiries, it- was stated that the association includes all tne millers except two. and they were expected shortly to come in. The headquarters are at Oamaru, with Mr Meek, tiie well-known miller, as chairman. The agreement entered into, by which tho contracting mills sell their output to tho association, is to be given a trial for two years. There are agents in each centre, and those in Wellington are Messrs D. W. Virtue and Co.

THE VIEWS OP THE BAKERS. The Master Bakers’ Association' is inclined to give the hew scheme a fair trial. A meeting was held on Thursday last, at which the subject was discussed, and though no resolution was arrived at, tho general opinion was that the master bakers should take no active steps either one way or the other until it could be seen how the new proposals worked. Mr F. McFarland, one of the master bakers, said yesterday to a representative of the “Times” that his association Imped that the new organisation would benefit both millers and bakers by preventing underselling, which was ruinous to tho trade. “The man who undersells.” said he, "pays but little wages, and undercuts everybody, and destroys the trade. AVo cannot deal with him, and if he can be stopped it will do good.’’ “l)o you think this new association will raise the price of flour ?” " Tes, I think flour will go up." , Mr McFarland went on to say that flour at the present time was lower in price than at any time for many years. “Of course,” said ho. “the price cannot be raised to any excessive figure because of the competition. It is evident that the millers cannot raise the price to a rate higher than that at which flour cau be imported.” “Then there is no antagonism to the millers' association amongst the master bakers?”

"Notat all. Ob tlie contrary, we are disposed to give it a fair trial. It seemed to us at first that the association would benefit us to, but up to the present nothing has been laid before us by the millers. There is really nothing yet before us to show how it will work. But, of course, we shall see more of it later