The bread was baked on Saturday night and Sunday morning despite union threats and warnings of increased raids and certain prosecution by the Department of Labour and Industry.

But it is not yet known how many prosecutions will result from a triple-strength raid on bakeries by Shops and Factories Inspectors between 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

The raid was made on about 110 premises in the metropolitan area and surrounding country areas including Werribee and Geelong.

The first of five teams of inspectors started their shift at 8 pm working through to 4 a.m. The strains of "O Sole Mio" died abruptly as an inspector rapped on the heavy roller door of a bakery in Carlton and called: “Shops and Factories Inspector. Open up."

The door did not open up and the Inspector said the bakery would be reported for having failed to admit an Inspector.

By midnight the team had visited bakeries In Carlton, St. Albans, Seddon, Altona, Sunshine and the city.

Minister escort

The Minister for Labour and Industry (Mr. Rossiter) said last night he would probably tour bakeries next weekend with the department's inspectors.

But this will depend on the reports he will receive today on the weekend's illegal baking activities.

The illegal Sunday baking furore was rekindled on Wednesday when the Independent Bakers' Association decided to release its 42 member bakers from promises they had made previously not to bake at weekends.

The meeting was called by the association's executive because a number of bakers had been baking at weekends despite their promise.

On Friday, 30 association members announced they would defy the Department of Labour and Industry, and bake illegally.

This open defiance of departmental and union warnings was broadcast by "fresh bread" signs In front of many milk bars yesterday.

Plenty available

The president of the Independent Bakers' Association (Mr. L. Carrazzo) would not comment on the success of the move except to say: “There's plenty of fresh bread around."

The manager of a Richmond milk bar said Sunday bread was of a lower quality than weekday bread.

"I wouldn't eat it myself." he said. "I'd rather eat Friday's wrapped bread which will be in a better condition on Monday than today's (Sundays) fresh bread."

No evidence was seen on Saturday night of an inspection of bakeries by members of the Operative Bakers' Union which was promised on Friday by the secretary of the union (Mr. E. McConachy).

Mr. McConachy said weekend baking was "a blatant attempt to upset conditions in the bread industry."