"FALSE ECONOMY."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 99, 22 October 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

"FALSE ECONOMY."

WAR'S EFFECT ON DRESS

The London premises of the worldrenowned dressmaking firm of Worth are to be closed. A member or the staff of one of the show-rooms made the folio -ing statement to a representative of the "Daily Telegraph":— "Of course, we do only tne highest class of dressmaking, and therefore when the great Court, opera, race, and other society functions were suspended we suffered considerably. Things would not be so bad. however, if it were not for the false system of economy that a great many women have suddenly conceived it their duty to practise. Level-headed economv—the carefulness that aims at the cutting off of a great number of small, unnecessary expenses that are really extravagant—is certainly to be encouraged; but this economy-rnn-mad idea of praetieally stopping every item of expenditure will, if carried out bv the faddists who seem to want to make it fashionable, simply lead to ruin an all hands.

UNSriTED FOR MUNITIONMAKING. "We, lead in the dressmaking world, and our stopping will tnrow about 200 women and girls out of employment. This is only for one firm; what will be the result if this movement for economising without discretion is carried out to such excess that the other great houses of the Metropolis and the country are affected? It will mean that thousands of women will be thrown out of employment. . „ ''lt must he remembered, too, by those who talk so glibly of 'munitions,' that the women who* do the class of work executed in the great dressmaking houses are not suitable for such rough work as munition-making. Their hands are very delicate and sensitive, and would be too tender for that kind of labour. But supposing this difficulty was overcome with practice, what use would those women be for dressmaking afterwards? Their hands would be qirto spoiled. A HAPPY FAMILY.

"Let women, especially those who can affor dit, 'carry on' in their dressbuying, and endeavour thereby to save a lot of their poorer sisters being thrown out of work. Very expensive gowns need not be purchased—there are not the frequent opportunities for using them that there used to but plenty of nice costumes could be bought, and the big houses kept going."

Another lady member of the staff said that the closing of the London business had caused great Borrow amongst the employees. "A number of us have been with the firm for anything up to twenty-five or thirty years. Some came direct from school, and have been witli the firm ever since. We in London here are a very, happy family, and no employers can be kinder than Worth's. The two popular brothers, Jacques and John Charles, are 'at the war,' the former being a surgeon on a hospital ship at the Dardanelles, and the latter in an infantry regiment. We all hope that it will not be long before the premises are re-opened, for it is very hard for people of our calling to get work now.

CUSTOMERS' KIND OFFER. The customers' side of the question was referred to by one of the fitters, who said that many of the ladies who regularly visited the establishment had been extraordinarily kind. " They hare known us so long," said this young lady, "that they have taken a great liking to us. Some customers have actually offered to furnish large houses on their estates as. shelter for several of us there until we can get work, or until the war is over. In order that the offer shall not be regarded as a charitv, we are to be given work to do for the Red Cross Society and other organisations." The London premises, which are at Hanover Square, W., were opened fourteen years ago, in response to the appeal of'manv of the Pans customers of Worth's, who complained that they could not obtain the necessary gowns or have repairs executed when they wore on a visit to this country. The LorJon branch wa6 an immediate success, and the business increased until the'staff employees numbered about 200. The premises will be entirely closed but for the presence of the manager and secretary. The Paris houso will remain open.