DRAPERY PRICES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1884, 1 October 1918, Page 4

DRAPERY PRICES.

A PROBLEM FOR THE WOMEN.

The Wanganui Chronicle hits seen a letter just received from London (dated July 23rd) by the manager of one of the largest drapery firms along this coast, and the contents indicate still further serious advances. Buyers for New Zealand houses, according to the letter, have the utmost difficulty with the winter buying; in fact, manufacturers cannot supply certain lines, whieli have to he bought through the warehouses, oollen hosiery/ the writer slates, “will soon bo unobtainable under 45." dozen.” Hosiery that is soiling retail in Wanganui at 2s (id per pair will be unprocurable, wholesale, under 5s tid per pair, so that with freights, etc., added, it seems likely that the women folk will have to pay something like 8s Gd per pair for "lockings, or, may be, wear sandals and painted legs! Considering that so many ladies go slockingless during the summer at Castleeliff, it might not be considered :t hardship if they extended their “cast off clothing” parade to the Avenue.

The loiter, which i" most interesting from other titan that of “shop,” indicates that shipping is going to improve, and while New Zealand is lucky in the big prices it is getting for its produce, consumers in .London have to pay very heavily for fruit, jam, etc. The writer says; “There will not he half enough jackets in New Zealand lo go round next winter. There are plenty of boats leaving here the next few weeks to bring hack the wool and meat you have been accumulating, so New Zealand should have plenty of money on account of the high prices. “The war is going better for us .just now. We arc Imping we shall he aide to !ini"b the jolt Ibis lime and make an end 01. Germany lor many years, or at any rale, her military class. Her people must, he a had lot. or (hey would never have sacked every house and village they have gone into.

“We are having very had wen!her here this month, nnd it is grmrg'to be bud for the harvest and food. “We can gel no jam or syrup now, nor fruit, except at big prices. Fancy no fruit in England! Bananas arc selling at 5d and (id each;

cherries 3s lb.: a few strawberries now and then front 2> O' 3s lb.; butler, 2" Gd Hu; bacon, 2s -id lb.; eggs ("apposed to lie the plentiful

season). 5d and Gd each; potatoes 2d to 3d lit. This will give you some idea of what we have to pul up with on account of the war. "The luxation is becoming unbearable. Fancy (is in Hie £ income lax; 8s LOd in the £ rales. All railway fares are up 50 iter cent. Tile (rains are very few and far between, and usually crowded. “You tire indeed lucky In be out of it in New Zealand, although 1 must say the people are showing a tine spirit. They are not grumbling much, and they are tally determined to see the thing through to (he latter end.

“Our airplanes are now gelling to work in Germany in retd earnest, ami we hope they will give the linns some of (heir own hack again, with interest, as they nre now (hiding out to their cost. However, they cannot say anything about reprisals, as they themselves started the game. “Your goods are going out 1 airly well now, lint you are not. buying half enough lids side, and you will speedily lind lids out when your supplies cannot be obtained. 1 suppose you think your slock is enough, but you will find it is Hie man with (lie goods every time. Blocks will be speedily realised when people come to lind I here is likely to be a famine in raw materials.”