MORE BABIES BUT FEWER PRAMS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 5

MORE BABIES BUT FEWER PRAMS

Paradox For U.K. Manufacturers (Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, November 13. Perambulator manufacturers at an exhibition of nursery goods in Harrogate report the paradox of a rising birth-rate and a falling output of prams, says the “Guardian.” Output for the British home market, according to 20 leading manufacturers, fell from £4,400,000 worth in the first seven months of last year, to £4,112,000 in the same period this year, yet the birth-rate has been rising steadily. The reason behind this, manufacturers believe, lies in the level of stocks carried by retailers this year and the high proportion of births of second, third and later babies rather than the first baby for whom the mother buys a pram. Among the exhibits are a four-poster cot with lemon silk and lace drapes and a pram upholstered in plastic leopard skin. In the luxury class, parents can spend 33gns for a hard-bodied pram resplendent with chrome fittings and large sparkling wheels. It also has rust-proof joints, specially-upholstered carriage cushions, a side sachet for naipkins, an extra storm flap to protect the child from bad weather and an easilyaccessible hand-brake.