PRICE FIGHTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1920, Page 1

PRICE FIGHTING.

AUCKLAND WOMEN'S CAMPAIGN.

THE "BALLOON'' COMING DOWN.

It is stated that the resolutions passed at the meeting of Auckland women the other day, when 57 of them subscribed to a resolution pledging themselves to abstain for six months from purchasing certain articles of dress at more than specified prices, has been endorsed by scores of women.

Inquiries suggest lt.ll 3. t (tlio EIVeTUgC woman says "my sentiments entirely," but to meet the case of the majority of Auckland's women the price fixed at the meeting are far too high. "Good heavens,' remarked one lady. i haven t had a blouse or pair of boots fit that price siiice the war started." She * said it would be useless for the great proportion of the women to endorse the boycott with -such prices, and such a movement must of necessity include a comparatively small proportion of the women of "Auckland. "If it becomes tiio fashion to boycott .these tbinngs and the movement is led by the 'right people,' it will be found to be a success." The lady who gave this opinion instanced the case of gloves, and said a. woman wearing any sort other than cotton was the exception in Queen Street. A mere man who was asked to give an opinion said he had the greatest admiration and respect for the matrons of Auckland. Their magnificent work during the war showed what they could do when they combined and were properly led, "but," and here lie looked unutterable things, "what about the flaunting flapper?" He felt that her undisguised desire for pretty things would hardly Is curbed by the resolutions or the admirable example of her elder sisters. "Tlie flapper is not strong on domestic or poli-. tical economy as far as I have been able to gather and I am afraid she will be the hardest convert they will have to make." He said that a somewhat similar campaign in San Francisco had not materially affected the drapery business; still he felt sure that if the Auckland women had made up their miiuls to boycott extravagantly-priced goods they would do so.

One lady, who was asked what alia thought of the campaign, said she did not know whether the recent ventilation of the protests against the many-guinuad costume was the cause, but the prices were , certainly lower in the shops than they were six -weeks ago; at least in many fines. She said the fact lmd not been blazoned abroad, but close study of shop cards had convinced that the price "balloon" was at last coming down, although it still was a long way from the ground.