DAYLIGHT BAKING

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1926, Page 2

DAYLIGHT BAKING

LEGISJ.AfION ASKED FOR. BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON, April 30. A request for legislation to give effect to a measure of daylight baking, proposed by the New Zealand Federated Operative Bakers’ Association, was made to the Alinister of Labour (the Hon G. J. Anderson) to-day by a deputation representing that body of workers. The deputation was introduced by ALr P. Fraser, M.P., who stressed tlio importance of the question, and pointed out that it was engaging international discussion. Air 0. J. A’eale, Secretary to tlio Bakers’ Federation, outlined the history of the movement to secure daylight baking, attributing the failure to secure that end to the jealousy existing among the master bakers themselves.

Replying to the A fillister, the speaker said that daylight baking would mean commencing at 5.30 or (> a.m. So far as he knew, there was no definite public opposition to the proposal. Continuing, the speaker argued that,

with the advance of science, the baker should be .able to produce bread that would be sweet, moist and wholesome forty-eight hours after it had been made. If tihe men started at 5 a.m., the bread could still he produced foi delivery after 9 a.m.

The Alinister referred to the fact that the night-bakers were paying their employees double time for night baking, and he also asked tlie reason foi it.

Air Yeale: “It is only the jealousy and competition between themselves. AVe can’t see that it is for the purpose of helping or pleasing the public.”

AIT- Andrew Edlins, secretary of tlio local union, said that he could not see wliat objection the master bakers could raise against daylight baking. Starting at 5.30 a.m., they could have the bread baked and in the carts by 9 a.m. The baker’s objection at present was that lie did not know when his day’s work was done, or at what time lie would he called hack again. Ho hoped the Government would, by legislation , give a twelve months trial to a system oi baking .whereby tlio work was commenced at 5.30 a.m. He was willing to put £SOO of his own money into such a scheme. Ho contended that daylight baking would do away with the present evils of competition. Air Brooks instanced an Auckland case in which a certain bakehouse, worked the same men a straight shift of 25 hours. The Alinister: “AVouhl you object to continuous work on three separate shifts ?" AH Yeale: “AVe object to night work, claiming that it is not necessary.” “ Supposing this proposal were made law at what time would the bread be delivered?” asked AH Anderson. AH A’eale said that delivery could start at 7.30 or 8 o’clock ill the morning. He explained that the dough would be prepared.by the doughnwn prior to 4 a.m., ready for the bakers to start work at. that hour. Another member of the deputation briefly reviewed the daylight hours worked in Australia, where the hours differed in the various States.

Replying to a further question, Mr A’eale said that they had not discussed their proposal with the AI, aster Bakers.

Hon AH Anderson promised to consider the matter, remarking that it struck him as more , reasonable than anything that had been put up previously. “ I think,’ ’ho said, “ this is a matter upon which, if you could come to some arrangement with the master bakers, there would he very little difficulty in getting it through the House.” When the question was under discussion before a committee of the House, he recalled that the burden of the complaint of the employees was that the public demanded fresh bread. That was countered by a statement, on behalf of the public, that it was quite competent to say wliat it should eat. He could not say whether the Government would introduce a Bill along tlio lines requested, although there should he legislation in regard to shops, etc., this year. However, he would let Afr Fraser know the result of the consideration he gave the proposal that they had presented. Air Fraser remarked, in conclusion, that daylight baking was in force in Holland. Sweden, Finland, Germany, Russia Gzeeho-Slovakia, and in other countries.