Bakers Seeking Rise In Price Of Bread

Chronicle (Levin), 4 May 1949, Page 3

Bakers Seeking Rise In Price Of Bread

AUCKLAND, May 3. The possibility of liigher bread prices was discussed today by Mr J. A. Connor, president-'of the New. Zealand Federation of Balcers and Pastryeooks, which is liolding 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 oV'erall price for bread could be obtained, it was feared that some of the smaller bakeries would be forced out of business. Mr Oonnor added that it was felt that the charges involved iu the private delivery of bread should be seperate from tlie price for bread over the counter. Many bakeries were working very long hours mainiy because of a shortage of labour and the peculiar nature of the businesses.. That aspec: had not bcen recognised by the Price Tribunal which judged tlie position by the profit and loss accounts submitted to it. Raw matcrials such as sait, yeast and bread improvers, had increased in price, Mr Connor continued. Charges for repairs and mainteance and salaries and wages had also risen. In fact everything used directly or indirectJy in the balcing trade had increased in cost except flour, the price of which was reguJated. Further wage increases in the trade were expected following tlie recent Arbitration Court pronouncement. There had been a deerease of about 33 per cent since 1939 in the number of bakeries in operation iu New Zealand. In September 1939 there were S(>7 active bakery units. The number fell to 730 in 19-10 and J5.S3 in 19-12. Today 5G7 units were operating.