THE PRICE OF BREAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 12

THE PRICE OF BREAD

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As a member of one of the trades that have been hard hit by the present control of flour and bread, I am in a position to answer the question by “ Consumer ” as to the actions of four local members of Parliament in this matter. All our local members have been watching the position ever since the formation of the Wheat Committee, to get justice for the smaller firms. It is mainly through their efforts that things are not worse. But “ Consumer ” is quite right in his contention that private members have little say in the proceedings of the party. In fact, it looks as if the Labour Government is quite helpless to cast down what it has set up. By putting members of any industry in absolute control of their trade rivals, the Government has simply asked for trouble. In the discussion in the House on the price of bread Mr Neilson mentioned with disapproval that town vans were taking their bread into the country and competing with country bakers, some of whom pay 14s a ton moi’e for flour. The whole policy of the Wheat Committee is in the same direction—to eliminate the small man and give the trade to the big miller or baker. This is not consistent with the principles of the Labour Government. It is not even common British justice. Some drastic action should be taken immediately to clean up the whole position before the Government is discredited still more.—l am, etc., X.