MASTER BAKERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20538, 13 February 1935, Page 4

MASTER BAKERS.

Dominion Conference Opens. WELCOME TO DELEGATES. The annual conference of the New Zealand Master Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Association opened in the Chamber of Commerce Hall yesterday afternoon, when delegates and their wives were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.). The president (Mr Claude Cowan, of Auckland) was in the chair. Mr Sullivan expressed his pleasure at welcoming delegates to Christchurch; he was particularly gratified to be able to welcome the ladies. He hoped that the conference would be beneficial to the delegates and to the city. He suggested that all the time should not be devoted to business, but that delegates and their wives should see something of the city. As a member of the Parliamentary Committee which heard evidence regarding the difficulties of bakers, he knew something of the industry. To him it seemed that the bulk of the difficulties resulted from disloyalty within, for when price cutting was carried to an absurd degree not only the competitors but the employees must suffer. He trusted that the conference would be able to find some way out of the difficulties confronting the industry. On behalf of the citizens he hoped that they would all have a happy time; in the city.

The Mayor was thanked for his welcome by Mr C. C. Lange (Invercargill). Before leaving the Mayor said that the executive was to be commended for the manner in which the bakers’ case had been prepared and presented to Parliament. There were present fifty-five delegates, and Mr R. L. Stockdale, of Melbourne, the New Zealand representative on the Australian Bakers’ Federation, was also among the visitors. Relief for the Trade. In his presidential address Mr Cowan said that various efforts had been made to further the interests of the trade, but not always with success. Particularly disappointing results had been obtained as far as seeking relief for the trade by an appeal to Parliament was concerned. Evidently having made it as difficult as possible for the trade by restrictions and regulations imposed over a period of years by respective Governments, members of Parliament were content to leave bakers to struggle through as best they could. “Master bakers must organise their own forces and discover some way of putting their own house in order,” added Mr Cowan. “Difficult as the course may be it is not impossible, and I must urge you to support and strengthen your association, both local and national, so that the full force and power of the trade may be brought to bear on each problem. The weaknesses within our own ranks are most distressing.” Invaluable Conferences.

Mr Cowan added that he had been able to arrange several conferences with members of associations during the year and these had proved invaluable. During the last session of Parliament he had found that a measure had come before the House which would have nullified 'their own carters’ agreements. Action had been taken, as a result of which a promise had been secured excluding the bakers’ agreements from the operations of the Bill, which eventually was dropped. That was but one instance of the constant vigilance necessary to protect the inof all. In conclusion he referred to the loyal support he had received from the chairman (Mr C. E. Boon) and all other members of the executive. In a trying and difficult year they had done the trade excellent service and were worthy of delegates’ sin cere thanks and confidence. (Applause.) The annual report stated that, following resolutions passed at the Hastings conference, the principal work during the year had been the presentation of petitions to Parliament embodying the signatures of 600 master bakers After abandoning a suggestion to seek a minimum price the conference had decided to formulate requests to Parlitment for legislation prohibiting the return of stales from stores, prohibiting the hawking of bread, and amending the Commercial Trusts Act. The finding of the investigating committee had been entirely favourable as regards the prohibition of stale returns from stores and the executive had lately followed that up with representations to the Minister of Industries and Commerce; the result of a special departmental investigation was not yet known, but a resolution from the conference would, no doubt, assist the position. Although the committee had had no recommendation to make with respect to the other requests later pronouncements in the House of Representatives had been distinctly favourable in the direction of urging the Government to amend the Commercial Trusts Act to have the effect of putting an end to hopeless price-cutting Revenue Position.

The revenue account for the year ended December 31, 1934, disclosed a loss amounting to £l6 3s sd. The executive considered the position unsatisfactory for such an important industry. With SOO master bakers operating throughout the Dominion it seemed an extremely poor effort when the headquarters of the industry were financially embarrassed during its year of office. To have to go cap in hand to allied traders and individual members so that funds might be provided for the advancement of the industry was not to their credit. Certain remedial measures would be discussed during the next few days. It had to be remembered that from 480 master bakers in the north affiliation fees had been paid on only 165, while in the south the affiliated members were 181 from a total of 330.

The report and balance-sheet and the report of the organiser (Mr W. 11. Warren) were adopted. After a brief discussion it was decided to forward representations to the Government immediately asking that a ban be placed on holiday baking. A paragraph in the annual report stated that further representations had been made to the Acting-Minister and a promise had been given that the matter would have the consideration of the Minister on his return to office. The executive intended to ventilate the subject as soon as the House restarted. The conference then adjourned till this morning.