POSSIBILITY OF BREAD PRICES BEING RAISED

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 May 1949, Page 5

POSSIBILITY OF BREAD PRICES BEING RAISED

Unless Somethinp Is Done Some Bakeries Will Close

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— The possibility of higher bread prices was discussed today by Mr J. A. Connor, president of the New Zealand Federation of Bakers and Pastrycooks, which is holding its annual conference in Auckland. He said the conference was confident that the public would support it in obtaining an increase which would mean only a few pence extra in the family bread bill. Unless an adequate overall price tor bread could be obtained it was feared that some ot the smaller bakeries would be forced out of business, Mr. Connor added. It was felt that, the charges involved in private delivery of bread should be separate from the price for bread over the counter. Many bakery proprietors were working very long hours, mainly because of a shortage of labour and the peculiar nature of their businesses. That aspect had not been recognised by the Price Tribunal, wh'ch judged the position by profit and loss accounts submitted to it Raw materials, such as salt, yeast, and bread improvers had increased in price. Mr. Connor continued. Charges for repairs and maintenance a*" salaries and wages had also risen In fact, everything use! directly or indirectly, in the baking trade had increased in cost, except flour, lhe price of which was regulated. Further wage increases in thr trade were expeeled following the recent Arbitration Court pronouncement. Mr. Connor said there had been a decrease of about 2:» per cent, since 1939 in the number of bakeries in operation in New Zealand. In September, 1939, there were 867 active bakerv units. The number fell to 730 in 1910 and 583 in 1942 Today 5G7 units were operating.