Municipal Bakery

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 October 1916, Page 3

Municipal Bakery

DISCUSSED BY BOIiOUG'H COUNCIL LAST NIGHT. j The question of establishing a municipal bakery by the council was discussed at the meeting of the Levin Borough Council last night. The matter was brought up by Councillor Fosella who moved that the time had arrived when.the council should establish a municipal bakery. ITe said that economy was and will be of th© greatest importance. Limitation of tho cost of food and other commodities was a great necessity audi it was part of their duty to protect the people from exploitation. The rise of Jd per loaf in the price of bread over the counter gave the opportunity for tho first step in this direction and he was confident the people by their support of the venture would show their appreciation, of the council's efforts. 'Ho submitted figures showing tho expenditure and receipts of the proposed scheme. The mayor said he was not in accord with the motion. The local bakers had instituted a new system recently, and in some respects it was to be commendiod. For instance it was economy to have one cart covering the ground that formerly was worked by three anjl. putting the business on a cash basis was a good one. One weak spot, howover. was the raising of the price of bread over the counter. This was a hardship to some people. At the same time he did not think the bakers were exploiting the people, or that any of them made a fortune. In fact he understood that several were seriously thinking of going out of tho business.

Councillor Herrick said though he had seconded the motion he was not altogether in favour of it. He did not think they bad much to complain about in the price of bread in Levin.

Councillor Demp.sev thought the borough was too small to embark on such a f-eheme. He was told that the output per day was 1300 loaves, and seeing that some of the bakers would roman in the business thoy perhaps could onlv safely count on receiving half of the total trade, which hi* d : d not think sufficient. Councillor Foselli's figures did not allow for manv items of expense that often arose, such as breakages, etc. The cost of delivery was great in Levin. Tt was different in a large town where a lot of people lived' close together. Tf it was such a good thing why did the bakers wish to retire?

C uncillor Robertson said they were ■ndebted to Councillor Fosdla for the figures he had tdaccd before them. The trouh'e with the new svstem inaugurated bv the local bakers was that the reduction in cost by the cutting out of extra carts did not come hack to the public: in fact bread had been increased in price over the counter. He thought flu l question should bj gone into more fully and: that a committee shenhl make further enquiries. He moved that a committee he set up to enquire and report to the next meeting of the council.

Councillor Fosella withdrew h : s motion in favour of Councillor Robertson's motion and the committee appointed comprises Councillors Fosella. Rob rison. Harvev, and the mayor.