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Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 873, 27 November 1916, Page 6

The Mayor, in opening the exceedingly creditable exhibition of bread and pastry now being held in the Victoria Hall, suggested that a considerable reduction in the cost of distribution might be effected if the municipality look over the delivery of bread. Mr Holland is surely beginning at the wrong end. If any saving is to he effected, the council must bake the bread, and utilise the existing means of delivery. As long as bread is being produced from a dozen or more different bakeries, customers will insist on getting the product of a particular bakehouse, but if there is only one standard bread, then the delivery can be done systematically house by-house in speeilied areas. It is now possible by the use of automatic machinery '-'or one plant operated by a few men to bake the entire bread supply required by a city as large as Christchurch. It may be news to some people to learn that prior to the out-

break of war a company was formed, and the capital subscribed, in Christchurcli, to install one of these plants. As the result of the war and the impossibility of getting delivery of the machinery, the venture was wound up. Hut there is no reason why tbc City Council should not keep the mailer in view, and when the conditions are more favourable set up a committee to make inquiries. Figures taken out in connection with the company referred to showed that by using automatic machinery bread could be produced very much cheaper than the most economicallyrun bakehouse can produce it to-day. Further, it would be possible to allow the bakers a penny a loaf for delivery, which would utilise their services, and give them probably as good a return as they are getting at present. By this means bread could be cheapened to the great benefit of the public, and no injury would be done to those in the trade. It is eminently a matter for the municipality to deal with, as the capital expenditure involved would be considerable.