CHEAP CLOTHING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 224, 21 September 1934, Page 13

CHEAP CLOTHING.

JOB LOTS FROM LONDON

M.P.'S EXPRESS COXCERX. (By Telegraph.'—Parliamentary WELLINGTON, this day. Charges that wearing apparel is purchased in London at the end of the .season, at job line juices, and sold in Xcw Zealand at an excessive profit were made jin tho House of Representatives last night. Pointing out that the Clothing Industry in Xcw Zealand employed a large number of women an<l girls Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour. Auckland Central) contended th.it no alteration should be made in the tariff that would increase the, difficulties of the position. hi the opinion of Mr. A. E. Ansell (Government, Chalmers) the purchase of eiid-of-the-Bcason clothing abroad at job line prices created unfair trading conditions. The purchase price placed the Xew Zen hind manufacturers in an almost impossible position, and the prices in some cases were unbelievable. Indications were that a substantial business was being done in this direction. He contended that the public was not receiving the benefit of the cheap prices. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Ijid., Wanganni) quoted the case of silk frocks, the landed price of which, he said, was £1 14/. and which had been exhibited for sale in Wellington at £11 11/. According to Mr. A. Harris (Government, Waitcmata) tho job lots-in London was the only means of enabling people of moderate means to secure clothing at a reasonable price. Ho denied that the importers made undue pro/its. Tho Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, said the indications were that end-of-the-scason imports were on the decline. He promised to have inquiries made into the mutters raised. The duties as set out in the schedule were adopted.