WALLPAPER, GLASS AND PAINT PRICES ARE BROUGHT DOWN

Grey River Argus, 3 September 1948, Page 5

WALLPAPER, GLASS AND PAINT PRICES ARE BROUGHT DOWN

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 2 The price of wallpaper and glass and all paints covered by price orders was reduced in Christchurch yesterday morning, after merchants had decided to pass on to the public and the trade the effect of the adjustment of New Zealand currency to parity With sterling. Mr C. A. G. Catto, president of the Glass, Oil and Colour Merchants’ Association, said their federation was unanimous in the decision and believed that the ultimate result would be to bring back to normal and stablise prices. The rearrangement was made also to retain the confidence of the buying public. “This should slightly reduce the costs of building and renovations,” said Mr Catto. “I say ‘slightly’ because wages still make the highest cost.” Mr Catto did not give the exact price, reductions, but said that seven and a-half per cent., on wallpapers, and from 3s to 3s 6cl a gallon for paint to the trade, were “about right.” The trade would have been much happier if the exchange rate had been altered twelve months ago.

Orange Price Down by 2d. P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept 2. The Minister of Marketing, the Hon. E. H. Cullen, announced to-day that the recent alteration in the exchange rate had enabled a reduction of 2d per lb in the retail price of imported oranges to be made. The new price of 9d per lb will be effective bn Monday next, September 6. Cheaper Phosphate For Farmers WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. A reduction of £1 per ton for superphosphate and a proportionate reduction for other phosphatic manures, as a result of the exchange rate alteration, was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Cullen, to-day, when opening the Dominion dairy conference. This reduction would apply to all ■ fertiliser delivered as from August 31 and also covered stocks in works and in merchants’ stores. Amending price orders would be issued at an early date. It was a further reduction on the price reduced by 10s per ton as from July 1 last, said the Minister.