DEAR BREAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 8

DEAR BREAD

[ OUTCRY IN AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENTS WORRIED. SYDNEY, Dec. 14. The recent legislation providing for a subsidy to wheatgrowers, and, iucidently, a tax on flour, lias caused Australian Governments more embarrassment than anything else in recent months. In the first place the Federal Government had many anxious moments before its wheat policy was decided upon, and had great difficulty in satisfying the Country Party. When the tax of £4 5s ou flour was agreed to the master bakers everywhere were quick to increase the price of bread, and then the State Governments had their share of worry. The Slate Government has not yet scon a way out of their difficulty— a difficulty occasioned by the strong protests against the higher price of bread. In Sydney and Melbourne various women s organisations have been loud in their protests to the Governments, and in both cities there has been free talk ol a boycott of the bakers. In Melbourne, for instance, the Housewives’ Association has arranged for the services of an expert baker to go into the homes of members and instruct them in the art of bread-mak-ing. 'The association claims that it has had fair success for its campaign, and that in two of the suburbs it has been directly responsible for a reduction in the price of bread over the counter. The association threatens to intensify its plans almost immediately, and it is appealing to the Government to act in a manner that would protect the consumer. High Sydney Price If there is any justification for a campaign of this nature in Melbourne, there is greater justification for a similar campaign in Sydney. In Melbourne the standard price is Bjd for a 41b loaf. In Sydney the standard price is 5d for a 21b loaf. People of Sydney have never been able to understand why bread should be dearer in Sydney than it is in Melbourne, especially as the price of flour is the same in both cities. The New South Wales Government recently set up a special committee to go into th© matter, but the best the committee could do was to suggest the oppointment of of Bread Board, which would govern prices and conditions. New South Wales has had bitter experiences of boards of various sorts, more particularly the Milk Board, and there was a sigh of relief when the Premier announced that the Government would have nothing to do with a Bread Board. The question is receiving the deep consideration of the Cabinet, but so far no policy has been announced. The problem, it is recognised, is not an easy one. Nobody objects to the wheat growers getting a fair return for their product. It is recognised that world conditions have made it extremely difficult for them to carry on, au«l they are deserving of the special consideration they have received. It has been held all along that the people have been paying too much for their bread. It has been said over and over again that although the price of flour in New Zealand is dearer than it is in Australia the price of bread in the Dominion is lower than it is here. It has been asked, Why should this be so? The need has been emphasised for an inquiry that would follow the wheat from the grower to the bakers’ carts, and perhaps the New South Wales Government will agree to this as a way out. A deputation of women which waited on members of the New South Wales Government this week alleged that there was something in the nature of a. conspiracy to keep up the price of flour, and that supplies of flour were stopped whenever a baker attempted to cut the price of bread. This allegation is as old as the hills, but has never ibeen properly investigated. Speakers at the deputation ended on this note: “We warn the master bakers that something desperate is in store for them unless some action is taken.”