PRICE OF BREAD.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1925, Page 1

PRICE OF BREAD.

TEX HER ( EXT. INCH EASE. LBV TKI.F.GUAI'C —Cr.il i'KF.SS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, -March A. Cabinet to-day considered the question of the proposed increase in the price of bread lit per 2lb. loat. Subsequently the Aleing -Minister in Charge of Industries and Commerce (Hon Air Anderson) announced that the Government considered that an increase of It) per cent, was sufficient, as against IS and 10.] per cent, as suggested by the Master Bakers for the South and North Islands respectively. Tho Government however, Mid not think it advisable to fix the prices, believing that competition would ensure fair prices to the public. Air Anderson stated that after several conferences with his Department the representative master bakers of the Dominion were unable to agree with his officers as to the extent to which bread prices should he increased, as a result, of a recent increase in Hour prices from £ls 10s to £lO per ton f.o-.h. southern ports. He had been kept fully posted with the negotiations that had taken place, and had considered the representations, both of the Department and of the -Master Bakers. The hitter had shown that apart from the recent increase in Hour prices, the trade- had had to face several additional costs in the production of bread. Tu order to improve the quality of bread new ingredients had recently been introduced. and the requirements of the Health Department its to improved bakehouse accommodation were all lactors increasing the cost til production. The .Minister proceeded: “Investigations as to the cost of production had been made by the Department, and after full consideration the Government is of opinion tliaL Lite proposed genital increase of Id for a Mil), loal, representing on cash prices IS per cent, in the South Island and Hi] percent, in the North Island, is not Hilly justified. The Government considers that- an increase of 10 per cent, is sufficient-.” The Minister slated, however, that on account. of tiie fact ihat the flour market. is a fluctuating one, the Government. does not consider that at present it is advisable that any fixation of prices should he made. “11 is confidently expected” remarked the Minister. “that competition will ensure fair prices to the public, and the indications received show that the bakers are by no means unanimous in charging an extra penny as proposed for bread sold for cash over the counter.” PRICE RISE IX AUCKLAND XrCKI.AXI). .March A.

Tho price of bread in Auckland and suburbs will he raised from Saturday by a. halfpenny on the “lb. loal, ihe new price being G]d across the counter, instead of fid. Tho rise in the country will be Id.