CHEAP CLOTHING

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1931, Page 5

CHEAP CLOTHING

OVERSEAS COMPETITION

SUIT FUR. 14s 14d

The competition of cheap imported clothing with New Zealand manufactures has been investigated by the National Council of Women, and among the samples collected was a pair of trousers quoted at 45s a dozen in London, and a suit at 14s l£d. The small New Zealand retailer supplying the trousers was stated to‘ v ~be selling about 600 pairs a year. Before a meeting of the council in Wellington were details of 13 samples of Imported clothing from various sources with details of prices, f.o.b. London. One was a pair of trousers quoted at 3s Bd, for which an order for 250 had been placed. There were others at 5s 9d a pair from an order for 500. from small retailers with no branch shops came trouser exhibits at 45s and 48s a dozen. The same shops handled coats quoted at 7s each, and vests priced at 2s 6d each in England. From wholesale houses overcoats. ()noted at -Us 6fd and Lss 9d each were collected. One of the most startling exhibits was a man’s suit at 14s H cl, and part of this was the 3s 8d trousers. Another suit of the double* breasted variety was 32s od, Boys’ imllned knickers in sizes 1 to 5 were 20 s fid a dozen, aml hoys’ doublebreasted suits were 16s lid each. There was also a sample boy’s jacket and knickers, which were quoted at 67s a dozen, in sizes 1 to 5. The National Council of Women draws attention to the problem facing New Zealand manufacturers in paying a living wage and competing with cheap clothing from various countriesThe council approached several retail and wholesale houses who were stocking the cheap goods, but these estahishments were not prepared to give information about their private business transactions. They were willing. however, to band over samples of thejr stock. The council carried a resolution urging the purchase of New Zealand goods, as a means of improving the unemployment position.