The Price of Bread

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 4

The Price of Bread

"NEDDY' S DRIVER."

(To the Editor) Sir, — Permit me a little of your valuable space to reply to some of Mr, S. J. Turner's statements re the price of bread. First Qf all he is trying to tell the public of Hastings there is only a farthing per loaf profit for the poor old baker. Welll if that is the truth Mr. Turner, some of the local bakers, who have just built new premises, are going to have a hard battle to make ends meet, but then again they are to be congratulated for improving the appearance of the town and no doubt will get more than the profit quoted by Mr. Turner. I would like to ask Mr. Turner how many o.f the established bakeries in Hastings have furniture and equipment in their offices that cost £150. 1 would also like to state that at one period the co3t of flour to the Hastings bakers was £21 10/- per ton landed in the bakehous3 and the cost per loaf to the customer was 5d per two pound loaf, and for Mr. Turner's information not one of the bakers had to close up shop. I must admit to Mr. Turner that in those days the "neddy" had to gee up, because that is what the boss expected me to make him do. Yes, Sir, the bakers are on a good wicket at the present price and have 110 room for complaining. I would like to ask Mr, Turner if he ever heard the story of a baker who started with a small capital of £40 in a little bakery business. After a time he purehased tlie freehold property and "to-day has- retired from ainong the dough, but 'still has plenty of "Jough" in the bank, and during his business cateer did not sell bread for 6£d per loaf. — Yours, etc.,

Hastings, January 16, 1937.