BAKERS' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 220, 13 October 1903, Page 2

BAKERS' CONFERENCE.

THE SECRETARY'S BBPO&T. ntß PIUSSS 18S0CUTI01T. Auckland, October 12, The Baker's Colonial Oonferaoot opened to-day, MrKellow (Wellington) presiding. The Secretory reported that last year he visited every plaee io t.be colony where two or more baker* had succeeded in forming Unions; baft be feared that some of these wen sine* defunct. He hoped to have dona well in Auckland, but excitement over the milling trust and the hostile attitude of the publio towatds the trust and letters in newspaper* had created nn--est in the trade in Auckland. He soon found that his eff »ts here would be useless. New Plymouth he found ; very satisfactory ; but Hawera was a ! little disorganised. Wellington bakers 1 were alive to their interests though some were cutting the prioea. lit organisation of b&kers had, he said, been advantageous to individual* and the whole trade. They were aot seeking exorbitant prices for bread, but» fair and reasonable price to enabtv them to pay wages demanded by Unions and awards ef the Court. Mr McCarthy said the trade had ail understanding with the Fiour Millers As[soci tien, out it was not the agree--1 ment or understate ding that had been represented by the Prees. There had been no attempt to combine for the purpose of extortion of any kind hut it was an agreement to prevent ftbusee such as cutting prices.