THE BREAD QUESTION.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 918, 4 June 1877, Page 3

THE BREAD QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Globe.

Sik,—ln your issue of last night, I read with satisfaction aud interest your article on the " rise " in the price of bread, or what may be more consistently termed " the bakers' imposition." I can fully endorse your suggestions with regard to a co-opera-tive bakery from my own experience. Some thirty years ago, the bakers at Woolwich enjoyed the same "mutual understanding" of raising and falling just when it suited them. At last the inhabitants became alive to the necessity of a co-oparative bakery. The consequence was, bread could be purchased very much cheaper, and a moderate dividend paid to shareholders every year. I can assure you, Sir, the effect on the bakers was as magical as it was effectual. _ The unity was broken ; every individual doughey looked after himself. But the greatest good was derived by the w rkino; people with large families. At the time I speak of, potatoes were also at a very high price. Another question to be considered, is the short weight, which is palpable in almost ever loaf made; a fact which, in justice to all classes of the community, the attention of the authorities should be drawn to. Altogether, |Sir, the time has arrived when a stand should be taken, and, as you say, " no better opportunity could be found for s"ccessfnlly launching such a society." Strike while the iron is hot. Trusting some of our enterprising and imposition-hating citizens will see to it, call a meeting, establish a society, have the shares sufficiently small to be within the reach of all classes, and success must follow. Apologising for trespassing so much on your valuable space. Yours, &c, AN OBSERVER, Cbristchurch, June 2nd, 1877. To the Editor of the Globe. Sir,—Tn reference to the bread question, Mr Hawker appears to have gone very closely into figures, and states that without considering the expenses, the profit made on baking one ton of flour is £6 13s 4d. This you have admitted, and given the Christchurch bakers some wholesome advice. But would your correspondent, who is so very exact, also state |for public information, the proportion of potato used in working up sixty-eight loaves of bread? Possibly, if this were done, the profits would be shown to exceed your estimate very much, and also the unwarrantable step taken by the twentyeight would be more apparent. Yours, &c, DOUGHEY. {To the Editor of the Globe.) g IR) —l n answer to foot note of June 2nd, I have only to say you have ignored expenses, which are as follows :—One youth, wages £1 ss, keep, lodging, &c, 12s, £1 17s; horse and cart, with harness cost £SO, interest, 2s ; keep of same, wear and tear, &c., 375; firing to bake bread, £1 4s; rent, £1 10s-£5 10s. Deduct £5 10s from £6 13s 4d, and you have net profit, which is £1 3s 4d. P.S. —I may say that many bakers are paying far more than this. Yours, &c, G. HAWKER.