PRICE OF BREAD

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3516, 30 June 1920, Page 3

PRICE OF BREAD

BAKERS DEMAND INCREASE. A SWEATED INDUSTRY. WELLINGTON, June 26. I olio wing up the arrangement with the Board of Trade under which Mastor Bakers of New Zealand kept acaecount of the cost of production for a month with a view to revising the price of bread, a deputation, representing the trade, interviewed the iHon. E. B, Lee. president of the Board of 'Lade, and Mr MacDonald, chairman with the request that retail prices bo immediately fixed for North Island: Over the counter, sixpence; delivered, Old; being an increase of half-penny-on the shop price and a farthing on delivery. South Island: old counter, 6d delivery, being a farthing increase in each case. It was explained that the delivery charge was being kept low as the increasing counter trade threatened to make delivery absolutely unprofitable. M, Logon, general secretary of the Masf r Bakers, assured the Minister that they had to work harder than they ever worked in their lives. Other deputationists declared that many paid their way only by utilising (heir wives and children in the bakehouses, a ’Wanganui baker quoting a case where a woman- and two children had to startweighing dough at 4 a.m. It was, they contended, a sweated industry. Tile Minister, who had before him an elaborate statistical statement showing the cost of production in all parts of New Zealand, said a definite answer at that stage was impossible, 4 but the position would be considered j y'r' fully r,::c! speed i’y.