MASTER BAKERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 18

MASTER BAKERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. NEW PLYMOUTH, Maich 3. ' rhe New Zealand Bakers' Conference opened here this morning. The annual report stated that the Bale of Foods and Drues Act pa c sed la6t session must be considered a fair measure. A motion was proposed to, make employees pay for goods which they epoiled. but the conference decided to lea^e the matter to individual bakers, with a recommendation that when an employee was dismissed _for spoiling goods the other bakert be advised, so that they should not employ him. A recommendation was passed to all master bakers to .strictly prohibit smoking dviring the making and delivery of goods. March 4. The Bakers' Conference wr.t^ resumed today. The conference discuf-sed the Pure - Food Bill, and decided that the executive draw i he attention of the Health Department to the fact that the re^ruiaf johs re moisture in bread are unworxable, and suggest that the te*t compnee- ln/th crumb and crust, and also approach him with regard to the exemption of different classes of bread. Mr M'Parland (Wellington) moved that in framins all future awards it be •specified that no overtime bo paid unii! a full week's work of 51" hours has been eonapl Q ted. The motion was carried. i Tne Auckland delegates asked if the <*r>nferenca could give any suggestions vitli ■regard to the prevention of underselling. Could they pre-vail upon the flour-sellers to refuse to «upp)y puce-cutters with flour. The president said there could be no objection to merchants or millers supplying trader-sellers with flour so long ac they " paid cash for it. If a man could buy flour, pay with his own money, and beat his opponents he was welcome to do it. Mr White (Dunedin) said That some bakers took contracts at losing lates. He was surprised that members of employers' and other associations should patronise underselling bakers. Mr Denhard (Wellington) said that in Wanganui the bakers, had given up contracts. Mr Harrison (Gisborne) said the Gisborne bakers had taken a similar «tand, and demanded cash from all but shipping. He considered no baker could rome into Gisborne and undersell and live. Mr M'Parland reminded delegates that the law provided for all supplies to hospitals, gaols, etc., be contracted for. Mr Denhard couhl not see why bhirping companies should be able to buy bread ■cheaper than residents asshcie. These companies got their own pr;ce for e^rything. The President said the best way out of the difficulty would be for master bakers to tender at the full pn>e and Jet the hospitals or other institutions take thc.ir •choice. Mr Budd said in Timaru there had- been a. rotten system of coiitra-cl. for one of the bakers had been subsidised by oijc of the milter,*. Mr Harrison Raid in -Q&sbortio vh<>n tenders weie inviifd tho -r-cn.tr.rv submitted a cash price a?,ri a i.'i cf u«.ri.f"> of the six bakers, e-sth <,-f «her haO *'> get an equal shaie of thp i.i -.*«■■ Mr Pratt (CV iC< .ti.) - ;•■] d. . • church wa.* iho p.i < i,, _i, <> . -j^cii ent<' in uncle. «. :1j: Mr Laureiiitn ;» t ' aa. **■'■ wll '*tf[

baker in Dunedin would he looked upon aJmost as a saviour, for people had been able to see that he had been unable to make ends meet at under the regular rates. The conference discussed the advisability of allowing a foi'eman to be a member of a workers' union. Mr Smerdon advocated freedom of action in the selection of men, preference beingf given to the best man, whether unionist or non-unionist. To compel a man to enter the union, or to compel him to leave one, savoured of tyranny. A g-ood man, whether unionist or non-unionist, need never be idle. He moved — " That jn the framing of awards preference be given to the best, whether unionist or non-unionist." Mr I/aur-ensoii said tho discussion and motion were ridiculous, and showed the weakness and stupidity of the trade. The bakers already had the rjpfht to choose their men, and that right could never be taken away, except by Parliament. The President said the preference to unionists clause left employers a free hand. They could employ a non-unionist if he wore a more suitable man than a unionist. No action was taken. Provinc'al unions were recommended to jo n local branches of the Employers' Association. Mr White (Dunedin) moved that the eliding scale be revised. The present scale ■\\a« not quite sat-'sfactory. Mr Budd sad the opinion of the South Canterbury Union was that bakers should never contemplate selling bread at less than 6d the 41b loaf. The days of flour at £6 a ton would never return again. The President said that bakers did not wish to exploit the public, but to arrive at a scale that would be fair both to bakers and public. Mr Smerdon advocated the adoption of a basis of the 41b loaf with a rise of a id on the 41b loaf. In Auckland and other northern towns the 21b loaf was the basis. Was there not some difficulty in bookkeeping when the customer took a 21b loaf with bread at 7±d per 41b loaf? ""Mr White said it entailed a little extra trouble in accountancy, but public convenience had to be considered. Mr Burld stated that bakers had been twitted with taking more than they were entitled to. The rise of £1 per ton had been met by a rise of id a loaf, and that had brought £1 6s to the baker. Ho submitted a scale based on increases of £1 5s por ton of flour as follows: — With flour at £8 a ton, bread 6d per 41b loaf; at £9 5s a ton, 6id ; at £10 10s a ton, 7d; at £11 15s a ton. 7Jd ; at £13 a ton, B<L Th s was adopted. Mr Laurenson desired the press to note that the alteration would make no alteration at present in the price of bread. Delegates having reported that cash tradincr was being inaugurated in Palrnerston North. Wanganui, and Gisborne, the conference decided to recommend unions throughout the Dominion to adopt the cash svetem. -Officers were re-elected as follow: — President.. Mr W. H. Keilow (Wellington); vioc-prpsident, Mr J. G. Laurenson (Dunlin); treasurer. Mr M'Parland (Wellington); auditors. Messrs Denhard and Langdon; executive— Messrs Keilow, Denhard, M'Parland, and Langdon; trustees — M~=srs D^nhard and Lan<?don. It \vn6 decided to offer Christchurch the V>riour of entertaining the next oonfer- < k.\ and in the event of its not acceptj'lir hi throp months the conference meet **. £*-i__U£tig& Nejeth*.

The conference placed on record its appreciation of the excellent treatment received at the hands of the Flourmillere' Association and Mr Newton King in conjunction with the directors of the Northern Roller Mills. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Taranaki Master Bakers' Association for the excellent reception and entertainment of delegates.