INCREASE IN PRICE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31596, 6 February 1968, Page 12

INCREASE IN PRICE

Flowers For Funerals

A decision to increase the minimum price for Cut flowers for funerals from $2 to $2.50 was made by the conference of Interflora Pacific Unit, Ltd, yesterday. A Wellington remit that the price of cut flowers be increased was passed, but a remit that the minimum price for a wreath be $4, instead of $3, was lost. Mr M. Fox (Palmerston North) said the prices of transparent covering and ribbon had doubled. In the winter, with no cheap flowers, $2 was not an economic price for cut flowers for funerals.

“We must make our wreaths look as good as possible, and this is impossible at the present price,” said Mr J. P. Berkhout (Lower Hutt). The price of $3.50 was not an adequate reward for the work and artistry required for a wreath.

Other delegates spoke against an increase in wreath prices. Some considered that as wreaths were not, at present, as popular as cut flowers, the prices should be kept down until their popularity revived. “No-one can tell if our slower rate of growth last year will continue,” said Mr A. Timpany (Dunedin), president of the unty. “People are being more prudent to their buying. “If the hire-purchase regulations are tightened by the Government, then people could have more ready money for impulse buying. At this time we should continue to inform the public of our low-priced goods.”