PRICE OF BREAD

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1026, 20 October 1903, Page 4

PRICE OF BREAD

DISCUSSION BY TEE BAKERS’ CONFERENCE.

The question of fixing tho price of bread and tho vexed problem of how to deal with “ cutters ” were under discussion for a considerable time at the sitting of the New Zealand Master Bakors’ Conference. In reopening the subject, Mr Smerdon (Auckland) urged that the standard of price should bo regulated by tho basis of the cost of production, which, on a twoton trado, he put down at l;(d per 210 loaf, exclusive of the cost of flour. Mr Kellow (chairman of the conference) said that tho business could not bo carried on so cheaply in Wellington as indicated by Mr Smerdon. At a recent meeting in Wellington it was stated that bakers were working at a loss of about 5s a ton. Mr McFarland (Wellington) moved, “ That the price of tho 41b loaf bo fixed at 7id,” which he considered was little enough to yield a fair margin of profit, considering the circumstances under which the business was conducted. Mr Buchanan (Auckland) seconded, and said that the price proposed was only fair, considering tho worry and wear and tear to which bakors were subjected. Ho could say that, locally, the baking business wus not run at a profit at present, and if they could raise it to a profitable level they would havo something to thank God for that they had hold that conference. He represented the third and fourth generation of a family of bakors, and from the history of his forefathers lie could not find that they ever beforo worked under such unfavorable conditions as now existed in Now Zoaland. Mr Gardiner (Auckland) said two tons of flour would make 2800 21b loaves of bread, which, at the Auckland prico of 3d per loaf, would realise £35. Tho coßt of producing and delivering the bread he estimated as follows Two bakers’ wages, £5 10s ; two carters, £4 4s ; two horses, £1 10s ; rent, £1 10 ; firing, £1; yeast, 6s : total, £l4. Which left a margin 4 of £2l for tho two tons of flour, which in Auckland cost £lO 7s 6d a ton at the bakehouse. These figures would show that there was practically no profit in the present prices. He thought 7d would be a fair price. The secretary (Mr McCarthy) said the wages and cost of firewood were higher in Wellington than in Auckland, and only 1300 loaves were generally obtained in Wellington per ton of flour. Mr Denhard (Wellington), calculating on 1300 loaves per ton, said that each Id per loaf produced £5 8s 4d por ton. At 3d, therefore, the receipts would bo £l6 5s per ton. With the cost of production at lid per loaf and flour at £lO per ton, they were working at a clear loss. Mr Searle (Dunedin) considered that would be an excessive prico. The price in Dunedin was 6Jd per loaf, with flour at £9 15s por ton, and it was tho general opinion there that they were getting a fair price. If the price were fixed too high it might lead to under-cutters coming in, or cause municipal bakeries to bo ostablishod. . Mr Denhard (Wellington) advocated a sliding soale on the basis of Id for each £3 per ton on the 21b loaf. It was stated that the prico of flour delivered at the bakohouse in Dunedin was £9 15s por ton; in Wellington, £lO 2s 6d ; in Auckland, £lO 7s 6d ; in Christchurch, £9 10s. After considerable discussion Mr McFarland withdrew his motion, and it was resolved, on tho motion of Mr Buchanan, seconded by Mr Kellow, “ That the following bo tho basis of tho cash prices of bread, tho first amount given in each caso representing the prico of flour per.ton and tho second the prico of bread per 41b loaf: —£7, 5d ; LB, Old ; L9,6d ; LlO, Old ; LU, 7d ; Ll2, 7d-d ; Ll 3, Bd.” According to this scale, the Auckland price per 41b loaf would bo 6£d instead of 6d as at present. It was subsequently resolved, on the motion of Mr Buchanan, seconded by Mr Smerdon, “ That the foregoing bo tho cash prices from cart or shop for a 41b loaf, and that an extra penny be charged for booking.”

Tho question of dealing with the cutting practices adopted by numerous bakers was also exhaustively discussed. A motion to the effect that the conference endeavor to agree with tho employees not to work for cutters or non-union masters failed to find a seconder, most of the speakers expressing opposition to it. Mr McFarland considered that the only, solution for cutting was a combination of employers. Several other speakers expressed similar views, hut others said that such a movement might lead to a combination of cutters, .which .would make matters worse instead of better.. Mr Buchanan said it would never he possible to check the evil without forming a large combination ol bakers all over the colony. A motion by Mr McFarland to the effect that companies should bo formed in each centre was negatived. After a great deal of discussion, in the course of which delegates narrated tile difficulties which they had to contend with in endeavoring to deal with the cutting system, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Lambert,. seconded by Mr Holland, “That it be a recommendation to the Auckland Union to obtain an agreement and sympathy from the flour merchants in order to cope with cutters.”

During the course of the argument, Mr Searle drew attention to the following rule of the Dunedin Masters’ Union “No member of the union shall do any business with.any miller, merchant, or flour salesman who lias been proved to have supplied any one that undersells, whether a member of the union or not, without permission of the union in writing.’-’-

We shall not be able to go to bed at night witnout being submitted to examination by an inspector, whose duty it will be to see that we have first washed our feet and said our prayers.—Mr Kirkbride. I do not know bow it is, but when any question comes before the House that touches alcohol at all there seems to be imported into it an amount of feeling that, to my mind, is absolutely unnecessary. Me Seddon. Tho man who was advertised in the Post as wanting to buy a dog has had 2’67 applications, and they are still coming in. Tho advertisement was inserted by some of his friends as a practical joke.-Free Lnnco.

The people who are agitating for Bible reading in schools ought to add Bible reading on tho golf-links to their programme. Upwards of three hundred players at a coriain resort on a recent fcui-day.—Free Lance. The stability or "‘gilt-edged ” attribute of American joint stock companies does not apparently depend on the intrinsic industrial worth of a concern as much as on the individuality of tlie person who may he for it or against it, —.Nelson Mail.