PRISON BREAD FOR CHATEAU

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 178, 24 June 1955, Page 7

PRISON BREAD FOR CHATEAU

Taupo And Tokaanu Bakers Also Tendered Bread rrom the Waikune prison I bakery is being supplied to the Chateau Tongariro, although two bakI ers in the district tendered for the contract, according to information I receiyed by the New Zealand Federation of Bakers and Pastrycooks. It is believed by the federation that the private bakers' prices were below those quoted by the prison. Last week the Council of the I Federation, representating the baking industry throughout New Zealand, received the reply to their I representations from the former Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr J. T. Watts, who said: "It is Government policy to make I maximum use for State purposes of I prison industries." The Federation is disturbed that I the precedent set at Waikune might I be taken up in other parts of New Zealand and in other industries. They will write again to the Prime Minister, Mr S. G. Holland, expressing their strong misgivings over the Government' s action and saying that they were prepared to "fight this thing to the finish." The Council in a statement said that replies to the original complaints to the Prime Minister were not satisfactory, but it was decided before taking further action to await the result of the new calling of tenders on March 31. Information had now been received that the Prison's contract had been renewed. Two bakers, one at Taupo and one at Tokaanu, had tendered. A country baker, said the council's statement, depended for his livelihood on every loaf he could sell and such a contract was important. Mr Watts wrote in answer to the I Federation that "after a close examination of the facts, I have come to the same conlusion reached by the Secretary of Industries and Commerce, that under present conditions it is preferable that . aikune prison should continue to . supply bread to the Chateau Tongariro. "It is Government policy to make the maximum use for State purposes of prison industries. You have mentioned that your Federation does not approve of prison bakeries competing against a bakery bound by awards and paying taxes. It must surely follow that if by taking advantage of any reasonably available Government service it is possible to reduce overall Government spending, taxes aV a whole will be less. "The relatively short distance between the Chateau and the prison (five miles) compared with alternative bakeries enables a substantial saving to be made in the transport costs," the Minister said. "The prison bread is said to be of excellent quality, which is a most important consideration for a first-class tourist hotel. "While the reasons for your representations are fully appreciated, I feel that 1 have no alternative but to approve the continuation of the existing arrangement."