A DEARER LOAF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 174, 28 August 1914, Page 8

A DEARER LOAF.

BAKERS PROTEST. Yesterday the Master Bakers' Association met to consider the recent rise in the price of flour. The Press were admitted, Jjut were requested not to publish the speakers' names. One baker protested against the stringency with which the millers had treated the bakers. The millers claimed that the shortage was caused by householders buying freely and storing the flour. He moved that in view of the increase of £2 10/- in the price of flour since March 5, and the tight holding bv millers, coupled with the fact tnat bakers generally held small stocks, the Government should be asked to remove the duty from ilour for six-months to assure a plentiful supply and remove the present stringency. He felt sure that if the duty was removed flour could be landed from Australia at £ll per ton. Another baker declared that the rise was justified, as stocks were low and farmers were- asking up to 0/- per bushel. The first speaker declared that no wheat was changing hands at 5/(5, and that the millers had obtained large stocks at from ,'i/4 to .'>/8. Another speaker supported this, and stated that one of the largest milling firms had bought sufficient wheat to keep their mill running till next, harvest time at .1/4. In seconding the motion a speaker said that the bakers could not stand an increase of £2 3 0/-, and to pass it on to the public in an increased price per loaf was exploitation which the Government should check. There was no doubt that the public had been demanding heavy small bag orders, and whether tne millers were saving their supplies for an extra profit from this trade lie could

not say, but the bakers should be afforded protection. Several speakers urged the removal of the duty, and the motion was carried unaniinousiv.