BREAD PRICES

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1920, Page 3

BREAD PRICES

WELLINGTON BAKERS PROTEST. ,'PER CHESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYKIOHT.] AVELLINGTON. Alarch 5. New prices for -flour and broad sanctioned by the Government for • the ear ending 28th February next, were considered by AArellington Master Bakers Union last night. It was decided that to make bread at the ne-v prices fixed by Cabinet would mean a loss, which the bakers could not bear. Air AV. A. Keller, managing director of the New Zealand Automatic Bakeries interviewed, said the AVellington bakers simply could not make bival at the new prices. If the prices are gazetted it will mean we will have to close down. AVellington will then he without bread, but every endeavour i, being made to seek an interview w'Hi the Prime Minister to-day and there is hope we will be met in such a manner as to prevent our closing down. As the prices of bread have been fixed we are unable to increase the price < f bread to an amount which will pay us.” Air Massey told n reporter early this afternoon that he, had not received any communication' from the master bakers. He hoped the bakers would not go so far as to stop the output. MR MASSEY’S VIEAV. AVELLINGTON, March 5. ■ Mr Massey justifies the rise of 30s a ton in flour. There is now an in- j crease in the average price of wheat of | (approximately lid over last year’s j price and each penny advance in wheat prices means a corresponding increase of 4s in the price of flour. In addi- ! tiou to the cost of wheat there had j been material increases in the price of j sacks amounting to 13s 2d per ton on , the manufactured product, besides ir- i creases in wages, salaries, coal and j other material used in the manufacturing processes AIR MASSEY AND THE BAKERS. AAIELLINGTON, March 5. Referring to a statement attributed : to him that he had not received com. j nvunication from the bakers re bread prices, Mr Massey said this afternoon he bad received a telegram from the Master Bakers’ Association and he ex- , pectcd to go into the matter fully with the bakers. This he was prepared to do at tlie earliest opportunity. In the meantime, he would make no public statement in the matter, , i