HOW PRICES HAVE RISEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2741, 8 April 1916, Page 14

HOW PRICES HAVE RISEN

'A REVIEW FROM ENGLAND, An interesting review of prices in England is contained in the report of their London representative just received by Messrs. M. O'Brien and Co., of Christchurcli. The report, which is dated January 8, states that since' November costs have advanced in many directions due to the rapidly rising costs on raw material and the shortage of labour, and these factors are becoming accentuated as time goes on. In all trades, manufacturers are hopelessly behind with deliveries, and a further handicap to export trade is tho largo amount of Government "work that has to be absorbed as the war progresses. In the Sheffield cutlery trade, for instance, it. is stated that the Government requires more material for delivery than the total capacity _ of tho works, leaving out civil requirements altogether. _ . ■ Aluminium, in any form, is almost impossible to obtain, and tho Government has refused to sanction its use for cooking utensils. All orders have therefore been cancelled. ' Tho following are some of the increases towards the end of the year on various lines of goods: — , . • Percent. Bedsteads Welded boilers lo Bolts and nuts :... So Brass goods •••• up ™ 'o Chinaware .J" ™ Earthenware ; .•••• 2° to 33} Harness furnituro oO Indiarubber goods 20 Iron and steel bars "5 Lamps •••• 20 Steel-cut nails ••••' 50 Weighing-macliines 35 to 50 Baths and fittings 10 "Primus" goods 33$ Malleable and cast-iron goods 2o Wrought-iron goods . 33$ Locks ; '^0 Springs, hooks, etc ou . Rugs and runners have advanced' from $d. a square foot, and perfumes and soaps show a general advance. ,TooU have also gone up all round, but the increase is not easily stated in percentages, and in many eases new price lists have been, issued or discounts reduced. , In a great number of instances manufacturers now accept orders only on the basis of prices ruling when goods were dispatched, and enter business, subject to their ability to obtain supplies of raw material and labour.