Clothing Costs

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 6

Clothing Costs

Sir, —Listening to Mr. Walter Nash broadcasting from Petone, one wonders if he has had to buy any clothing during the last few months and did he compare the prices only one year ago without going back to 1939. Here are a few items for your readers to ponder over. A box suit, first grade, in 1942 eost £B/10/-; in 1943 £l2/12/-; hat, 1942, 30/-, 1943, 42/6; sports coat. 1942, £3/10/-, 1943, £4/15/-; overcoat, D. 8., £5/15/- in 1942, £7/10/in 1943; pyjamas (when obtainable), 19/6 against 14/6 in 1942; shirts, 12/6 to 14/6, now 18/6 to 29/9; working trousers, 1942, 19/6. 1943 32/6; Palmer naps, 10/6 1942, 19/6 1943. If these items only show 14 per cent., then I am no mathematician. Percentages can be made to prove anything. A day or so ago one of my granddaughters came to dinner. Only wife and self at home now, so she increased my wife's work bv 50 per cent. A day or so later she had dinner with her aunt, who has a husband and three children, so she only increased that lady’s work by 20 per cent., but both had the same amount of extra work to do. S o you see what fallacies can be hidden under percentages, and Mr. Nash is great ou percentages.—l am, etc., SMALL DRAPER. Levin, September 22.