ULTIMATUM TO MINISTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 6

ULTIMATUM TO MINISTER

PA AUCKLAND, May 13. The only bakery in Paeroa, which was fined £2OO in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for charging more than the authorised price for bread, has advised the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Nordmeyer, that it intends to cease business. There is no other supplier of bread in the town, and the Minister has been asked to make other arrangements for the people in the district.

Mr David Leach, managing director of the Victoria Bakery, Ltd., sent a telegram to the Minister stating that it was intended to close the bakery to-morrow, and he asked the Minister to arrange for supplies of bread for the people of Paeroa and surrounding districts. A reply was received from the Minister’s private secretary stating that Mr Nordmeyer was absent from Wellington and that the telegram would be placed before him on his return. Stating that he did not wish to leave the people of the district in too serious a position, Mr Leach later said he would not close his business in the meantime, but would carry bn until the Minister was back in Wellington. As soon as ne was advised of Mr Nordmeyer’s return he would close the business unless he received a satisfactory reply from the Minister. The decision to close the bakery was not made because the firm had been fined £2OO, said Mr Leach. The reason was that the price of 6d a loaf, which had been allowed by the Price Tribunal, was insufficient to permit the business to continue. A Government representative called on Mr Leach to-day to discuss the matter and Mr Leach again sent a telegram to the Minister. He is awaiting a reply. Mr Leach has also advised the Mayor of Paeroa, Mr E. Edwards, of his decision. The Victoria Bakery, which has been in business for about 30 years, Caters for a population of between 4000 and 5000 persons. In addition to Paeroa, it supplies the districts of Karangahake, Tirohia, Netherton, Komata and part of Hikutaia.