FURNISHING THE HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1920, Page 6

FURNISHING THE HOME.

CONDITIONS OF THE MARKET. GREAT INCREASE IN PRICES. What confronts the home furnisher in setting 'out to buy in the present market? In every instance higher prices, and in not: a few, a depicted stock, to choose from. Practically every article in the furnishing trade to-day ..is difficult to pro cure, but a notable instance is floor-cov-erings. Recently, however, carpets have been coming to hand fairly well, according to trade advice. Linoleums are a scarce commodity, and somewhat costly. To provide household furniture costs from £IOO per room according to the selections made, states one firm. Most articles liave advanced in price on 1914 figures from one hundred to as high as two hundred per cent. This has been attributed largely to the increase in the cost of materials for cabinet-making. It is perhaps somewhat remarkable in view of these factors.to learn that trade is good. A statement to this effect was made to a Daily News representative by the manager of a New Plymouth firm, who was also sanguine regarding the future; He also points out that the prices in New Plymouth compare very favorably with those in other towns, so it must not be gathered from the foregoing that rates here are in any way exorbitant, or that there is any necessity to go out of the town to make purchases. Another feature which has arisen is that clients generally favor the best class of goods in making selections, a higher standard- being apparent in this respect than was perhaps the ease in former years. The state of the market as regards future prices, however, is difficult to foretell.