COST OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22376, 13 April 1938, Page 2

COST OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

YEARLY ALLOWANCE DISCUSSED

WITNESS AND ADVOCATE IN

ARBITRATION COURT

(THE PRESS Special Service,!

WELLINGTON. April 12.

“Very much exaggerated,” was the opinion expressed by Eileen Maud Morrish, managing director of the Renown Clothing Company, Wellington, when giving evidence before the second Court of Arbitration at Wellington to-day concerning details of a statement submitted by the employees’ advocate. Mr J, Roberts, as to the cost of living for a woman factory worker without dependants. This, he assessed at £lB7 11s 5d a year, or £3 12s a week. Witness contended that a total of £SO 7s for clothing items alone was very liberal. Very few girls spent £1 a week on clothes. Quite a number made their own. The statement allowed for a new bathing suit each year. Her experience was that most girls used one suit for at least two seasons, nor did they use three pairs of tennis socks in a year. Some might; but certainly not the majority. Other items of clothing mentioned by Mr Roberts were not used as much by girls nowadays as formerly. Mr Roberts: Would you say that £4 10s was too much to pay for an overcoat? Witness: No. What about £3 10s for a winter costume?— That is more than most girls pay. The allowance of 15s a year for jerseys was too much, said witness. Jerseys lasted most girls two or three years. Mr Roberts: My experience Is that girls wear two or three jerseys in a year. Witness: Yes; extravagant girls. Is £3 3s too much for an evening dress?—No, •

Is 17s 6d too much for a winter hat?— Yes. They can be bought much more cheaply. In reply to further questions witness contended that 30s for a skirt was too much. Summer hats could be purchased for much less than £l, and evening shoes for less than £1 Is. She was also of opinion that the item of £65 for board, washing, and lunches would not apply to most girls. The majority lived at home. Later, Abraham Mark Hollander, manager of a Christchurch manufacturing firm, under cross-examination, contended that the amount of £lB7 was an exaggerated standard. Dealing with Mr Roberts’s statement in his summary, the employers’ advocate, Mr D. I. Macdonald, said it was too exaggerated to be worthy of comment. . Furthermore, Mr Roberts had not put any witness in the box to allow the employers an opportunity of examining on some of the expenses. “Clothing items alone total £SO 75,” •he said. “My own personal experience shows this to be double the amount of my annual expenditure on clothing, -and the estimate made yesterday by one of the employees in conjunction with a woman well-versed in prices assesses clothing expenditure at not more than £26 13s 6d. This same woman, who was an employee of a city retail establishment, assesses the total expenditure required, even on the basis of Mr Roberts’s list of articles, at £96 16s 6d, or about half that mentioned by Mr Roberts.' I would also point out that the cost of living today. as shown by the latest monthly abstract of statistics,' Is still below the cost of living from 1926-30, and in clothing particularly. These employers know that prices have been greatly reduced over recent years by the advantage of modern methods of production being passed on to the public."

PREWEDDING PARTY

Mrs Manhire and- Mrs R. Lodge (Hornby) entertained a number of guests at their homeujn honour of Miss Eileen Dann, who is to be married to Mr R. Sinclair. The evening was spent in dancing and games, and musical items. Those present were Mrs Manhire. sen., Mr and Mrs R. Lodge, Mr and Mrs G. Gale, Mr and Mrs F. Griffith, Mr and Mrs H. Kenworthy, Mr and Mrs G. Freeman, Mr and Mrs J. Oldridge, Mr and Mrs J. F. Kenworthy, Mesdames R. Watson, J. Coburn, Misses Eileen Dann, Jean . McGregor, T. Williams, Nancy Bigham, Ngareta Kenworthy, Messrs W. M. Dann, R. Sinclair, Trevor Gifford, R, Still, Ray Kenworthy, J. Dann, W, Manhire, W. Sinclair, and C. Kenworthy.

WINTER GARDEN

A special Easter carnival will be held at the Winter Garden on Saturday evening. The attractions will include Miss Peggy Holmes and ballet in "The Skating Waltz," and Miss June Bassett in song numbers, with the BaileyMarston orchestra. Intending natrons are advised to • secure their tickets early.

GIFT PARTIES

An enjoyable evening was spent at the home of Mr and Mrs J. C. McAdam, where the members of the Waikari Presbyterian Bible class met to honour Miss Annie McAdam, whose marriage will take place this week. The Rev. W. H. Johnston, on behalf of those present, wished the guest hgppiness m the future, and presented her with a silver bread board. Mr B. Beere acknowledged the gift. . _ Those present were Mr and Mrs J. C. McAdam.’ftev. W. H. and Mrs Johnston, Mrs E. McLean. Misses' A. McAdam. B. Odom, A. Trounce, J. and E. Ellery, J. Horne, C. Hall, Messrs B. Beere, W. McAdam, F. Trounce, and J. Hall.

At a party given by Miss C. Gee, Gloucester street, in honour of Miss Joan Telford, whose marriagfe to Mr S Wealleans, of Oamaru, is soon to take place,, many gift* suitable for the bathroom of her new home were presented to the guest of honour. The evening was spent in dancing and competitions, the winners being Mr and Mrs M. Yarral. A pianoforte solo was given by Miss Marjorie Turner. ITiose present were Mesdames W. C. Gee, M. Stevenson, H, Telford, E. M. Wealleans, W. Doyle, Hibbard. M. Yarral, A. Vile, and C. Croft. Misses Joan Telford, Constance Gee, Marie Smith, Alison Greer, Eileen Haig, Joyce Dawson, Muriel Nash, Gwen Pugh, Marjorie Turner, Jean Campbell, Valerie Doyle and I. Gee, Messrs H, Telford, W. C. Gee, G. M. Gee, N. Peters, M. Yarral, R. Croft, A. O’Brien, A. Vile, and E. M. Wealleans.

TENNIS CLUB’S BALL

VISITORS TO HORORATA

Many visitor* from Christchurch ■ and surrounding districts attended the Hororata Tennis Club’s annual baU, held in the Horonta Hall. The decorative scheme of blue and gold, the club's colours, was most effective. The committee, with Mr H. A. Foster as secretary, is to be congratulated on the seccess of the ball. Music was played by Cook’s orchestra, of Methven. and extras by Misses Gwen Jewell. Joyce McKenzie, and NpeUne Gray. Mr G. Wilson and Mr E. Gray were the masters of ceremony. Mr O, Grigg presented the trophies won during the year. He congratulated the winners and wished the club a successful year. The ladles’ championship cup was won by Miss Iris Hore. The nmner-up. Miss Hazel Phillips, was presented with a trophy. The winner of .the championship cup last year was Mrs. Palmer, -who received a miniature cup. Other winners were as follows:—Men’s championship cup: J. Rich; runner-up, A. D. Oliver, trophy. Last year’s winner: J. Rich. Lalndon handicap: Miss Hazel Phillips; runner-up. Miss Ella Chapman. Mrs T. A, Charles, who won it last year, received a miniature cup. Snowden handicap: J. Rich; runner-up, J. Mitchell. Last year s winner: J. Rich. Among those present were Mr Grigg (president), Mr and Mr# K. G. Comley. Mr and Mrs King (Glenroy), Mr and Mrs P. Collison (Windwhistle), Mr and Mrs H. Simms, Mr and Mrs J. Mitchell (Glentunnel), Mr and Mrs Clarke (Glenroy), Mesdames R. Wilke. H. Breeze, J. Crump, L, Paintin, W. Teale (Glentunnel), Misses Ethel Bull (bartleld), Elma Paintin, Phyllis Searle, Daphne McKenzie, Iris Here, Joyce Hore, Noeline Gray, Muriel Charles, Edith Thorne. Peggy Hlnka (Glentunnel), Nancy O’Connor (Homebush), Olive AUoway, Noeline Foster. Ella Chapman, F. Buchanan, Olive Graham, Valmal Banks. Pearl Pawsey, Edith Teale (Glentunnel), Joyce McKenzie. Freda Locker. Irene Bllssett (Christchurch). Gwen Jewell, Dulcie Thwaltes (Glenroy), Marjorie Jones (Lake Coleridge). Ella Kennedy (Glentunnel). May Fuller, Lorna Marsh (Glentunnel), Noeline Smith (Glentunnel). Hazel Phillips, Shirley PhiUlps, Una Hunt (Glenroy), Jeanette Calder (Halkett), Mary Johnson (Halkett). Elma Felton. Clarice Chambers, Joan Wilson, Marjorie McKenzie. Molly Jamieson (Christchurch), Maude Allen (Christchurch), Flora Allen (Christchurch), Kathleen Penny (Kirwee), Lillian Penny (Kirwee), May Payne, Agnes Wright (Ashburton), Joan Collison (Windwhistle), Gwladys Locker. Messrs J. Rich, A.- D. Oliver, J. Chapman. R. Chapman, A. Chapman. G,. Wilson, H.A. Foster, R. Banks, J. Thwaltes, R. OUver, T. Russell. Burt, K. Ruthledge, E. Gray, C. Gray; A. Gossett, E. Maffey, S. Russell, J. Kennedy, A. Milne (Glentunnel). S. Watson, ■ Burgess, N. Hobbs, J. WUlams, P. Phillips, W. Betts, C. Thome, T, Tlzzard, Sterling, E. Jones. B. McKenzie (Christchurch), A. Stone, R". Ballagh, C. Ballagh, JT Locker, P. Derrett, V. Prettidge, P. Ishcrwood, B. Yeates, Burrow. K, OSulUvan.

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