COST OF CLOTHING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 77, 24 December 1919, Page 8

COST OF CLOTHING

THREE TIMES PRE-WAR PRICES. further details of the increaee cost of living of a large section of the workers in England were obtained by a "Daily News" representative recently. Tho investigation arose out of the claim bv many railway-men that tho "Labour Gazette" estimate of an increase of 116 per cent, in the general level of retail prices since 1914 did not accurately represent their pre-war and present purchasing power. The following figures Were given by u Haree retail firm of clothiers and outfitters which make ft 6pecinlity of eatering for workers. The prices quoted are limited to workers who in 1914 earned, roughly, from 189. to 255. a week:— Men's euifs, ready niades—l9l4, 30s. j to-day, £i. Men's boots—l9l4, lfls.j today, 305. Men's caps—l9l4 6}d. to Is.; to-day, Is. Gd. to 2s. Cd. Men's shirts - 191*. 2s. lid. to 3s. Gd.; to-day ; Gs. 11<1. to 7s. lid. Men's cotton merino pants and vests— l9l4, 2s lid.; to-day, ss. lid. to 7s. lid. Men's socks—l9l4, C}d. to BJd.; to-day, Is. lid. to 2s. 6d. Men' 3 felt hnts-1914, 3s. Gd. to 3s. Gd.; today, Gs. Gd. to 7s. Gd. Men's linon col lnTs—l9l4, did.; to-day, 74d. Men's ties —1914, Gjd-> to-<lay, Is, 3Jd. Dungaree overalls-1914, 2s. lid. to 4s. lid.; to-dav, Ids. J Id. to 13s. lid. Youths' suits— IM4,' 245. to 255.; to-day, 375. to 425. Boys' suits (five to eight years)—l9l4. 4s lid. to 12s. Ud.; to-day, 18a. to 30s. Boote (boj6)-19U, 4e. lid. to 7s. lid.; to-day, 13s. Gd. to 163. Gd. Boob (youths)— 1914. Gs. lid. to 99. lid.; to-day, 15s. Gd. to 235.; boys' and youths' caps—l9l4, Gkl. to Iβ.; to-day, Is. Gd. to 2s. Gd. Boys' and youths' collars—l9l4, 4Jd.; to day, 7Jd- Boys' and youths' ties—l9l4, 6d.; to-day, Is. 3}d. Many of the pricos quoted at present, it was explained, aro for inferior qualities of , goods compared with 11)14. "Women's, girls', and children's clothing," said a member of the firm, "are 200 per cent, above pre-war prices, and millinery has risen about 100 per cenl Calico end llanneletto, which used to sell at from 23d. to 103 d. a yard, is now Is. lid. a yard. An infant's outfit which formerly cost ;E1 is. now about £3. "Tho result is that many people are buying less, because they cannot afford the present prices. Others have cot into tho clutches of 'tally' men and women. Theso ffho used to buy their clothes by instalments had the articles kid aside for them until payments wero complete. To-day, it takes too long to nay oft' 'lav by , article instalments. Hence, tho 'tally , men and women have stepped in, and by tempting poorer people by'letting them have tho goods on payment of a first instalment, Ihev are able to charge them 50 tn 100 per cent, higher prices to cover their own costs and losses from bad debts."

A Commiss ; on appointed bv tho Italian Government has arrived in England with the object of purchasing hackney stallions. This is the second visit paid this year by Italian representatives, who in the spring bought 25 hackneys for their Government's stud fitrmi Nottingham Coriwration linvo decided, in convenience of the higli prices charged for vegetables in the city, to set mi a filiill in tho market-place for the salo of vegetables grown on the sowago farm. It was proposed that fish .should also bo sold by the municipality, but this wns not adopted.