MILLERS’ TRUST.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 382, 5 April 1902, Page 3

MILLERS’ TRUST.

STATE BAKERY THE ONLY REMEDY.

“It is time the Government did something with regard to starting a State bakery,” remarked Mr J. Dower at, the meeting of the Liberal Association last evening. The suggestion was received with laughter, but nothing daunted Mr Dower continued “ You may laugh, hut mind you I am not joking.” He then proceeded to explain how the price of bread had gone up without any reason, and how hardly it affected the working man with a large family. 11 There has been a penny rise in the price of bread per loaf,” said Mr Dower, 11 and you all know what that means to the working man. It is really time the Government did something in the matter.” The Chairman: Why, not start a union. . . Mr Dower :No State bakery is the onlv remedy. . Mrs Scott was quite of the same mmd as Mr Dower. She was acquainted with the evils wrought by Trusts, and was convinced that the only true solution was that the State should become baker. The coal business had been entered into with success, and Mr Seddon himself had proposed the establishment of State freezing works, then why not a bakery ? Bread was a necessary of life, and it was to the interests of the working man to have it at the lowest possible price. She was sure that thousands of acres of native land in the district would be better growing wheat than lying in the present unproductive state. “ I also am in dead earnest,” continued the [speaker, “ what right have a certain party to stand up and say that unless you pay your monthly bill you will not get a loaf of bread more ?” “ They have every right,” chimed in Mr Joyce, the President. “If you go into the Post-office and buy a stamp you have to pay your money there and then, and if the Government sold bread you would have to do the same.” Mrs Scott: Yes ; but see how much cheaper we would get it. We pay 3sd and 4d now, and it is too much for the working classes. It is time the Government took the staff of life up. Mr Birrell was inclined to be reflective. He thought that they looked too much to the State to do this and that. It was, he said, becoming a by-word and a reproach in New Zealand that they looked to the State to do everything. The thing could only be accomplished by the union of the workers, and was purely a matter of social economy, It was part and parcel of the whole economic question. The workers, no doubt, had a great grievance, but by uniting amongst themselves they could soon mend things. He did not think the district was suitable for growing wheat, although he had heard that something had been done in that direction on the. East Coast in the early days. Others present assured Mr Birrell that the East Coast could grow anything. Mr Birrell: Well, at any rate, you have the means to overcome the difficulty. As you can Unite for the production of an article, so you cau unite for the consumption. You have the remedy ,at your finger ends to deal with the evil. Mr Cogar: And in what wav l Mr Birrell: By banding together, Mr Cogar metaphorically replied : it these people are feathering their nests, we ought to put our heads together and do the same.” „ , „„ Mr Dower: If the Government can start a coal mine why not start a State bakery? The Government can grow the wheat and supply bread at a very reasonat?Mrs Scott: Mr Seddon soil that if the people were not treated right the Government would start freezing works. If ho can do that, he can surely do this. Mr Cogar considered the thing was right in the spirit, but the conditions wore not just now favorable. He thought that something might be done by a union among the consumers. The Secretary, Mr B. N. Jones, suggested that Mr Dower' should put his motion in the following form, “That t e Government be asked to take early steps to prevent the formation of trusts in New Zealand, and especially those which exploit the necessaries of life.’ The President considered that the resolution was a very good one. It was time something was done to break down the monopolies that existed in the colony. Mrs Scott thought that the Premier should have power to adjust the prices of necessaries of life, as was done in America on one occasion. That was the only way to briDg poople to their senses. The resolution had her hearty support. Mr Birrell; The bakers are certainly very high-handed just now. Mr Dower : Yes; they would not even take hot cross buns around last Friday. You had to go to the shops if you wanted them. (Laughter.) The resolution was unanimously atloptefl.