THE PRICE OF BREAD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 223, 3 November 1916, Page 1

THE PRICE OF BREAD.

The Situation in Pukekohe

In reference to the agitation in Pukekohe in regard to the alleged excessive price now charged for bread (viz., 5d per 21b loaf and l«d per 4lb loaf) it will be remembered that Mr Hart, one of the Board of Trade Commissioners, recently visittd the district as the outcome of correspondence on the matter with the Chamber of Commerce and consulted with the local bakers. At a meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, held last Monday, the following communication from the Secretary of the Board of Trade dealing with Mr Hart's visit was read, viz. : •' The bakers met Mr Hart at the Courthouse, all the bakeis in the district being present. After a long discussion during which the bakers put their case before Mr Hart and heard from him the views of the Board, they decided that they could not possibly reduce --the price of bread delivered in Pukekohe and surrounding districts to a loss price than they were at present charging. The arrangements for delivery of bread throughout the district appear to be a little different from what usually pertains. Some of the bakers supply the grocers or storekeepers with bread which is delivered by them and the enhanced price of bread in the district appears to be principally caused by the expenso of this delivery. Tho price charged to those stores was quoted at B£d per four-lb loaf and this does not appear to the Board to be an unreasonable price for the bakers to obtain. If the members of the Chamber of Commerce are under the impression that bread could be delivered cheaper the Board would suggest that they endeavour to make arrangements in that direction. To assist the Chamber of Commerce the Board have received quotations in Auckland for best bread delivered at the railway station Auckland in crates and provided that the crates are found by the Chamber of Commerce, bread can be supplied to them in any quantities at 3Ad and 7dfor the two-lb and four-lb loaf respectively delivered at either Auckland or Newmarket. To this must be added freight, which is about Ids a ton. If the Chamber of Commerce consider that this bread could be delivered at a cheaper price than lOd the Board is willing to go into the matter more fully with them. On the whole the Board are inclined to think that the bakers are willing to sell bread at a reasonable price but the cost of delivery cannot be reduced and they have to keep up the price at the near distances to enable them to deliver bread at a reasonable price at the longer distances." The Chamber decided under the circumstances to take no further action.