The Globe. FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 916, 1 June 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1877.

The rise in the price of bread is quite unwarranted. Flour to-day is no dearer than it was a month or more ago —as a matter of fact it can be decidedly more easily bought. Owing to the recent fall reported both in the home and Australian markets, wheat holders here are less firm in their views, and millers have refused wheat during the week at a price which would have been readily given a fortnight ago. This is the best evidence that can be given that an easier feeling exists. The best flour is at present quoted at £l6 per ton, while it can, we believe, be bought for less money. \Tet in the face of these facts twenty-eight bakers in Christchurch and suburbs, announce that " owing to the advance in flour" the price of bread is raised to-day to 9d per 4lb. loaf. Had they said that it was owing to a mutual understanding having at last been arrived at among themselves, they would have given a more correct reason for the step they have taken.

But even with flour 'at £l6 per ton a very good trade profit should be obtained, by selling the 41b. loaf at Bd., nearly, if not quite £7 per ton being the net gain on each ton manufactured into bread. Of course bakers are at perfect liberty to charge whatever price they choose, if they can get it. It is for the public to say whether they are prepared to pay the price demanded. If they are not, and if they feel that the bakers have combined to extort an exorbitant price for their bread, the remedy is in their own hands. A co-operative store has been recently started here. There is also room, in our opinion, for the establishment of a co-operative bakery, either as an independent institution, or in connection with the organization already in existence. No better opportunity could be found for successfully launching such a society. Were the shares made sufficiently small to be within the reach of all classes, we are certain that the capital would be subscribed in a day, and its shareholders would have the satisfaction not only of obtaining their bread at a reasonable price, but of a pure quality.

Complaints are again rife of the very inferior quality of the bread supplied by many of the bakers of this city, and it is more than probable that in some cases they have rendered themselves liable to punishment under the provisions of the Bakers and Millers Act, 1871. A short time ago we directed attention to the provisions of this Act. We do so again, in the hope that those who find they are being supplied with bread of inferior quality may be induced to take steps to remedy the evil. Clause 11 of the Act provides that any baker or confectioner who shall wilfully or knowingly have upon his premises any impure or unwholesome Hour, or who shall sell or offer to sell any bread, &c, containing such flour, is liable to a penalty not exceeding £2O, and such bread, &c, shall be liable to be confiscated. Clause 1(3 provides for the searching of bakers' shops, &c. on the authority of a Justice, and the carrying of the adulterated material before a Eesident Magistrate or Justice; and if the Magistrate or Justice shall adjudge, upon the evidence of competent persons, that such flour, bread, &c, have been adulterated, he shall dispose of the same as he thinks proper. Clause 18 inflicts a penalty, not exceeding £lO, on anyone obstructing such

search. Under clause 19, the fines inflicted under the Act shall he distributed, one moiety to the consolidated fund, and the other moiety to the two of the informer, or party prosecuting. Clause 20 provides that, alter a second conviction, the offender's name, place of abode, and offence, and the penalty imposed, are to be published, at the expense of such offender. Clause 21 limits the time of information, which must be made within seventy-two hours after the offence is committed. It is unnecessary to summarise the other provisions of the Act, as they deal witb matters which do not immediately concern us at present.