BAKERS' DETERMINED STAND

Chronicle (Levin), 8 October 1947, Page 7

BAKERS' DETERMINED STAND

Presp Associatton )

PRICE OF BREAD GOES UP WITHOUT SANCTION

(P 2T

WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. _ A decision to increase the price oi bread. without waiting for a new price order, if relief from the increased costs carried hy the industry is not authorised by the Price Tribunal, Stabilisation Commission and Minister of Industries and Commerce by October 17, was made by a special general meeting oi the New Zealand Federation of Bakers and Pastrycooks today. The meeting was convened to press for an early decision on the industry 's representations first submitted in February last for relief from the substantiai increase in bread production costs at present being carried by the industry. Eudeavours were matle early in the duy to obtain a visit from or an interview witli the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Nordmeyer, but the iMinister '.s secretary stated he was »o busy 011 his Price Control Bill that he could not spare time to meet them. During the niorning members of the New Zealand council of the federation niet the Price Tribunal in order to ascertain the progress made by it in consideration of the industry 's application. The Tribunal stated its decision shouid he available within a week. A stateiuent issued from the federation meeting tonight said that the iinplication of the Tribunal 's answer wa? that there would be more delay in reacliing fiuality as the .Stabilisation Commission and Minister still have to consider aiul approve before the bako obtained any relief from the heav\ costs at present being carried. Later attempts were made to reacli the Prime Minister but without avun, Mr. Fraser's secretary saving it was doubt ful if any appointment could be made even for tornorrow and the Prime Minister niight sav they shouid rather meet Mr. Xordmeyer. Wlieu l his was reported to open meeting a delegate remarked: " Our troulile is that wo nro not ttnton secretaries. " The feileratiou's statement said there liad 1-een no change in the selliug price of bread since 193(>. AU iucreases of cust since then. other than in the wheat price which was covered by a subsidv to Ihe milling industry', had been earI ried 1 iy the bakers. These xucluded j labnur,' t ra nsport, freight, niost ingrediI ents, and recentlv tlie cost of . sacks I which had been partially oft'set by a I smal 1 adjust ment of the price of flour. ' At .tane last these accumulated inicreases were considered by the industry j to amount to not less than a halfpenny on tlie 21b. loaf but there had ! 1k ea soiue furtlier substantial increases including increased wage costs since the A rbit ration Court's pronouncemeut applied to tlie industry on October 1. Oue substantial itom in the increased cost was the excessive eharge for over jtime at weekods because of the adop tion bv tlie union of a five-day worlung week.' Tliis meant that at least 42 poi cent. of the week 's production wa? ! manufactured and distributed in one i working day. Delcgates expresji'ed concern at tlie Jeontinucd delay in dealiug with the ini!usl:v's apulication and discussion was on aniinated lines. A resolution was passed that tlie Minister of Industries and Commerce and the Stabilisation Commis'^io.n be asked that relief be granted '(ffot later t hau October 17. 1947 on the'.'basis ot ; substantial increased costs otherwise j the industry w-ill have no ojitioij than jto increase tlie price of bread accortlingly- ' '