The Globe. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 858, 24 March 1877, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1877.

The questionjof the price of bread, is at all times a very important one, inasmuch as it affects the majority of people —the working class very deeply—and that it touches, besides, every member of the community. And at the present moment it bids fair to assume proportions of a more than usually unpleasant nature. Dear bread is in itself an infliction of a sufficiently serious character; but, when to it is added the fact, that that necessary and almost vital element in our domestic economy, is so inferior in quality, as to be positively unwholesome, it is time indeed that something should be done to remedy the evil. In Otago we find, and in Dunedin especially, complaints are both loud and numerous that the local bakers are supplying an article very much below the usual standard of quality. A clamour of a similar nature is also rapidly rising in Christchurch where, it is broadly stated, some of the bakers are disposing of bread made of material positively 'lnjurious to health. Of course there is no need to go very far for an explanation of some of the principal causes which have led to this state of things. As everyone is well aware, the summer this year has been an unfortunate one, as far as the wheat crop is concerned. Some very sudden climatic changes took place at most untimely periods when extreme bad weather and dampness quickly succeeded very warm weather. The consequence was that, in very many cases, the farmers found that large portions of their wheat had " sprung." Yet, in most cases wtien it was thought that this abnormal growth had not reached too high a stage, the grain was put through the mills. Flour manufactured from wheat so damaged, is now everywhere in the market, and it ia to its use by the bakers that the present inferior state of bread may be attributed in nine cases out of ten. Yet, let it be understood, notwithstanding the fall in both the price and quality of the flour, there has been n<? corresponding decrease in the price pf bread. Some months ago,

when the bakers raised their prices, on the ground of the enhanced quotations of flour, they gave an assurance that, as those quotations fell, so would their charges. How they have kept faith ! with the public is now patent. Yet, the question of the price of bread sinks almost into insignificance in comparison with that of its quality, when the latter has got beyond a certain standard. And, from what is heard on every side, it would appear as if things had reached such a climax as to require the immediate inteference of the authorities. One of the most useful measures placed on the statutebook during the session of 1871 was the Bakers and Millers Act, and it must be a source of regret that its provisions have hitherto received so little attention at the hands of the police. Clause 14 imposes a penalty not exceeding £2O upon any baker having on his premises any impure, unsound, or unwholesome flour, and we are very much afraid that a good many members of the trade are, just now, playing considerably fast and loose with that provision. In the latter portion of the Act is found another clause inflicting a penalty, of not more than £2O nor less than £5, upon millers adulterating flour, or selling flour of one sort of corn as the flour of another; and clause 17 provides that a penalty, not exceeding £5 for the first, £lO for the second, and £ls for every subsequent offence, shall be inflicted on every miller or baker in whose possession shall be found any ingredient or mixture of any kind for the purpose of being used in adulterating the purity or wholesomeness of flour or bread. Of these fines, half goes to the Public Treasury, while the other moiety is given to the person prosecuting. And, in the event of a second conviction, the name of the offender, his place of abode and offence, and the penalty imposed, are to be published, at the offender's expense, in one or more local newspapers. By clause 4 of the Act, bread made for sale must be only made from " flour or meal of wheat, barley, rye, oats, buckwheat, indian corn, peas, beans, rice, or potatoes, or any of them, and with any common salt, pure water, eggs, milk, barm leaven, potato or other yeast, and with no other ingredients or matter whatever." The mixture of alum, or any other than those above mentioned, is punishable with a fine of not more than ten nor less than two pounds. But, though a baker may use any of the above substitutes for " wheaten flour," he is bound to advise Ms customers of such. With those clearly defined restrictions, the enforcing of which can with great ease be carried out by either police or private individuals, we almost wonder at there being so many evasions of the law, as we believe to be the case at the present moment.

A telegeam from Oauiaru, published elsewhere, states that on Tuesday last the body of a man was found on one of the islands of the Waitaki. There is every reason to believe that it is that of a man who, about a fortnight ago, was seen on one of the islands of that river, and that he must have been drowned in endeavouring to make his escape, after waiting six weary days for assistance. Why all the time was allowed to elapse before a search was made, we do not know. Some one we are afraid has been guilty of gross and culpable carelessness. We are glad therefore to learn that steps have been taken to bring the circumstances of the case under the notice of the Central authorities. At the inquest which will shortly be held, a most searching inquiry will no doubt be made, which will result, we hope, in placing the blame of this sacrifice of human life upon the right shoulders.