THE DRAPERY TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1921, Page 3

THE DRAPERY TRADE

WANG AN UFS EXPERIENCES. In discussing trade with a local draper, the Wanganui Herald learned that tliero was still a great scarcity of woollen goods, such as underclothing, etc., and these were coming to hand m •dribbler not. sufficient to supply the needs of customers. Before the war there were 12 to Id per cent, more imported woollen articles sold m the Dominion, but these became scarce and very dear, and the colonial mills had to he relied on. It was reported that in the latter machinery was lying idle, ns girls could not be obtained to work th e looms, and the mills could not keep up with the demand. No idoubt, with the coal strike settled, Home-made articles will commence to come to hand more freev. The Herald was also informed by a draper that one of his colleagues had sold 200 furs this year. He went on to state that personally he had s'd during this season 187 fox furs which were carrying a substantial reduc-, tion. He had also disposed of 200 necklets, ranging in value from £5 Os t< £ll 10s. Speaking of the drapery Trade generally, he mentioned that his trade lately had been phenomenal, which would almost discount the idea that there was a scarcity of money. The wholesale business, no doubt, had been badly hit, and in order to secure ready cash were making sweeping reductions to the retailers. The latter were able to confer the benefit of their customers, and this accounted for the latter buying freely. A curtailment had been noticed in country buying, particularly those customers engaged in sheep farming, who were not now coming forward and asking for the most expensive articles.