The Price of Bread.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 181, 9 June 1916, Page 2

The Price of Bread.

; TO THE EDITOR. \ Sir, —lu your issue of the lind inst. 1 notice statements and opinions of Mr Perkins, one of our local bakers, made, I presume, on behalf of the baking traders, which though satisfactory to theni cannot be so to the public of Pukekohe, who are well uware that they are paying now and for years past a higher price lor broad than circumstances wanant.

Mr Perkins states that '• in a few solitary instances, etc." 7d per 41b loaf might bo paid in Auckland. Query, How can a few instances bo solitary ? Be that as it may, I understand -Id per 21b loaf is the usual charge. A Devonport correspondent to the Auckland " Herald '' oomplains that 4.\d is charged there when 4d is the price in Auckland. IE it pays L»evonport bakers to deliver bread for miles around that district at 4.1 d, it should pay Pukekohe bakers at the same rate. Fuel, rents and horse feed are more expensive in large cities than in country towns. M» Perkins stated to me that the baking is only a side line with him. Of that I have my " doots," seeing that ho lias found it both necessary anl beneficial to erect an up-to-date bakehouse. If it is a side line he is doing a remarkably good business. He also states that, his flour is costing him £ll to £1(1 per ton. This is strange, as leoently I paid a groceries account containing an item " 50lb tlour, 7s 9.1." We all know that storekeepers trade for profit. It is about two months since I first approached Mr Perkins about the price of bread, and he then told me it could be sold for less than od per 2lb loaf, but that the local bakers had made an agreement to charge sd, although he would see what could be done. I have spoken to him twice since but nothing has been done. I tiust the local bakers will see that it is to their interests, as well as to their customers, to reduce the price of bread to a fair figure.—l am, etc., E. F. WEBSTER.