HIGH PRICE OF CLOTHING.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1920, Page 3

HIGH PRICE OF CLOTHING.

POSITION AT HOME.

LONDON January 14

Mr G. £. Amos (Wellington), who ha. come to London as buyer for Messr< Ross and Glendining, considers cos of living very high here compared witli New Zealand, ‘hand we have come L the conclusion that the people of New Zealand do not realise how well oil they are compared to the peoples in other countries. The people of New Zealand must be prepared to pay uio-e for their clothing as prices have advanced very rapidly during the last £hree months and the general opinion of manufacturers is that the present is a more difficult time, so far as they are concerned, than at any period (hiring the war. Orders are pouring into Etagland from all parts of the world, and the manufacturers are swamped with them at any price. The reduced hours of .the workers have reduced, enormously the.outpnt. IJntil the world is clothed, there can be no reduction in prices, as there is no competition. The manufacturers are all talking of combines and mass production, but t is a question whether these combines will reduce prices, as labour and raw material are continually advancing.” Relative to the high price of clothing London tailors presently expects cloth to sell at 50s a yard for suiting, so that tlie 18 guinea suit may very soon he 25 guineas. 'Hie High Commissioner for New Zealand is curious to know why no limit is put on cloth exports, which keep prices up. He told an “Evening Nows” interviewer that practically the whole of the New Zea. land wool clip for one full year, commencing June after the termination of hostilities (i.e., to June, 1920) was purchased by the Imperial Government. “To-day in London.” said Sir Thomas, i “a woman has to pay 12s per lb for ! wool which formerly costs 45.” As only J about 41h of wool go to a suit of clothes —a difference of 32s—he is wondering who pockets the great, increases which are talked about. The tailoring trade says it is not the tailors.