CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2226, 25 June 1908, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public n> attorn is welcomed at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that tins journal in in no way associated with tbo opinions of its correspondents.] THE PRICE OF BREAD [To tub Emron.] Sir, —I should like to insert- a lew lines in your valuable paper, in support of “Co-Operation’' and “Father of n .Family” who are .undoubtedly justified in protesting against the butchers and [fakers, who have formed a monopoly or trust, which, while on a. smaller scale, is as objectionable and as injurious to the people of Gisborne as the Standard Oil Trust, or 1 the Steel Trust, is to the residents of their United States. A monopoly can only ho fought by the people all joining together and taking shares in a ' co-operative association, so that the consumers may ho their own butchers ami bakers. Take the butchers, for instance, if one calculates the present low prices now ruling at the sales, the cost of killing at. the AbiVltoirs and other expenses, and allowing them for the present low prices of sheep skins, they must average a profit of 20. s to 25s per sheep, which on the class of sheep they generally purchase. means a profit of something like 150 per cent- or more. Therefore, if everybody pulled together, at least half of this profit would go to the consumer.—l am, etc., “HOUSEKEEPER.” 'Gisborne, June 24.

[To THR Kditoii.J Sir, —As suggested by “Co-Opera-tion” in your l issue of even date, that somo system of a co-operative bakery should be gone into 1 now .take the opportunity on behalf of my directors, of placing .before the public some little facts that may tend to enlighten them on the subject.’ For the last twelve months to my knowledge, shareholders of the Co-Operative have been supplied with bread by us at a lesser figure than supplied by the bakers, our system being a contract one both baker and .the Society working harmoniously together until some few weeks ago, when I, as manager, wishing to place -before the public-a. few of the many advantages to be gained by becoming a member >in /the Association, advertised bread at the figure at which we were prepared to sell at —3-Jcl the two 'lb. loaf; quite enough to. Immediatqjy the affair was taken . up.—'by the .bakers I presume' — our contract was ignored, and hence our supply of bread cut. off; a very unjust action I should say, 'People of Gisborne, if this i 6 the way you ■are to be treated by the Master Bakers, (then I say tho sooner you start a bakery business of your own tho better. “Corporation”'mentions that wo havo ample vacant space at our disposal whereon to erect a-sub-stantial building. That is precisely so, <and I can safely vouch that I am voicing the feelings of my directors as a. whole when I say that should a deputation of citizens interview them on the matter, a public meeting will bo at once convened, the outcome of which I have n<>t the slightest hesitation in stating, will be a substantial bakery, belonging, not to one individual alone, but. to the community tas a whole. Such a bakery standing apart from all rings and combines, working solely in tho interests of tho would amply repay all who took an interest -in it, in that it must help to build uj)’the home, and-help to rear the family, which many a hard working- husband finds a very difficult. task to accomplish at the present prices ruling for all domestic requirements. —I am, etc., W. R. BRADY, .Manager Poverty Bay Co-Opera-tive Supply Association, Ltd.