The Price of Bread

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 3, 19 January 1937, Page 6

The Price of Bread

J. S.

HANNAH,

(To the EJitorl Sir, — Mr. Turner assum.es that judging by my questions, and the manner in which they were put, I am not a baker. His assumption is correct,. but his reply and the manner in which he has rushed in where angels fear to breadv without the slightest forethought indicates that he is not a man of detail nor a moderately good finaneier. In answer to my first question regarding the price of bread he states that he is not sure, within a £1 either way, but he thinks it is £16 10/- a ton in the bakehouse. Surely commonsense would have prompted him to make sure by inquiring from any of the firms or their travelling agents who would have informed him that a ton of flour in the bakehouse would cost £14 16/-, which includes a surcharge of 4/-. Apparently he does not even know what cons'titutes a society, for he states in his letter "If Mr. Hannah, by his good management can make a bakery co-operative society pay, I will do liim the honour of taking off my hat tovhim." Allowing for the greatest stretch of imagination a society does not, and calmot fconsist of one individual only- so when the time comes Mr. Turner will have to take off his hat to the committee of management. However, to continue my third question was : What is it going to cost the society to convert a ton of fkrar. into bread, and fourthly: what wonld be the gross pfofits if th0 bread was sold at sixpence a loaf. Mr. Turner apparently assumes that it will cost the society just what he lidmself would wish it would cost the society. Full particulars of the methods to be employed in the running of the society's business are open for public inspection, and Mr. Turner would be much the wiser for a few minutes perusal of them. In his list of expenses bo includes the cost of running a van etc., anfcmnt-

ing to £43 17/6 and 1350 loaves at* 6d each 33 15/- leaviug a debit balance of £10 2/6, In the face of his own figures how does he assume that a £10 2/6 deficit leaves a farthing profit to the baker. The standprd price of bread over the counter is 6d cash and 6| beoked ; delivered, 6£ cash and 7d booked, Assuming that the society sold all its bread at 6d per loaf as ajiated in my fourth question, and as the society cannot infringe on the law, what would be the use of a van or its driver, benzine, oil,.tyres, depreciation on van, iusurances, registrations, etc. I think I have shown the value of Mr. Turner's 45 years experience as a baker and will leave tbe matter at'tbat : — Yours. etc

Waimarama, Jan 16. 1937.