NO HOT CROSS BUNS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 87, 13 April 1938, Page 8

NO HOT CROSS BUNS

DECISION AT AUCKLAND PROHIBITIVE COST OF EXTRA LABOUR [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, April 12. Because the cost of employing the additional labour is’deemed to be prohibitive, two of the largest bakery firms in Auckland will not manufacture hot cross buns this Easter and \ shortage in supply is considered probable. Bakers who intend making buns propose to charge Is 3d a dozen for the best quality, compared with Is a dozen in previous years.

“The master bakers are very concerned about the high rates of wages they must pay to jobbers or casual bakers on the eve of public holidays,’ said the secretary of the Auckland Master Bakers’ Association, Mr S. S Green. Casual bakers employed on the Thursday morning before Good Friday received £1 for the eight hours worked on that occasion as well as £i on both Good Friday and Easter Monday when they were not required to work. In addition, there was a penalty payment of 2s an hour for any work done prior to 4 a.m. on Thursday morning as well as an overtime rate for any work exceeding eight hours.

“The master bakers understood that the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, had promised to redress this anomalous position in some measure,” said Mr Green. “When, however, the matter was referred to the Minister recently, he denied making any promise and stated that he dici not at present propose making any amendment in the law in the direction desired by the association. The association is dissatisfied with the reply and proposes making strong representations to secure more equitable conditions.

“As far as the coming Easter is concerned, the bakers intend organising their businesses so that the services of casual bakers will not be required," he added. “That will mean, of course, increased overtime for th« present staffs and a curtailment in the supply of hot cross buns. Two oT the largest firms will not be making any buns at all and the other firms have agreed to raise the price of good-quality buns from Is to Is 3d a dozen.”