CHRISTMAS TRADE.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 152, 24 December 1903, Page 6

CHRISTMAS TRADE.

Tho following impressions of Christmas trade were gleaned by a Tost reporter as tho result of interviews to->day with a number of representative shopkeepers : Tailoring: "Busier than in any previous year," was the verdict of the firm approached. "This, is tailors' and drapers' weather, and tho dressmakers are, we iieur, exceptionally busy. Tho season for tho clothing trade began early, bocause tho line weather did, and it will probably last with tho weather, which now seems settled;" fo that tho season should prove both earlier and later than last) year's." Drapery,: The consensus of opinion is that the trade is much better than last year's, when, owing to the wretched seawon, summor stocks were largely left on hand. ' General : Tho manager of a well-known general importing business stated that this Christinas is better limn nny previous one. Ho can attribute this only to the prosperity of tho people. Tho extent of Christmas trade cannob bo gauged by the noise it makes ; thero is five times as much bother about taking a pound at Ohristmas than ther'o. is during any other time of the year. Books and Stationery : "Up to if not ahead of last year's," said v prominent bookseller. And this in spito of the now forms of competition which stationers complain of. Big drapery and general concerns are, they say, competing with them in hooks, fancy linen, and leather goods — "in almost everything except newspapers." Tho big concerns with their own large turnover are able to competo heavily in such side-lines. However, tho .bookmen aro getting a. good slice of Christmas trade. Retail Fruit: Best quality fruit is as high-priced nn last year, but there is a greater supply of lower grades (damaged m transit, etc.) at lower prices ; in fact, the fruit is coming to hand earlier this Christmas than last. Tho trade will be better this year for every one — for tho consumer, because he will havo a greater range of choice and the ohance of lower prices ; and for tho vendor, because a greater turnover will bring greater receipts. Groceries : The managing partner of a j leading grocery firm joined tho general chorus of opinion that this season has so far eclipsed its predecessors. The smile on tno managing partner's face was so convincing that tho reporter did nob deem it necessary to try the case further. On tho whole, tho tradesmen join 5 n a ptßan of rejoicing— all except the writer's milkman, who finds it necessary, in view of a ri«e in tho price of milk supplied to him, to suspend his time-honoured custom of supplying a pot of cream for a customer's Christmas-box.

A few nights ago tho Wanganui Chamber 'of Commerce set itoclf tho task of gravely discussing the servant girl problem. It was moved by Mr. J. Anderson: "That tha Wiinganui Chnmber of Commerce viow> with alarm tho great scarcity of domestic "labour in thi* cofony, which ia seriously affecting our national prosperity, and alsj> retarding the location of our Colonial and foreign oupitalista an permaneut residents in New Zealand, and wo would urge upon the Government) tho immediate necessity of procuring from abroad suitable female domestic servants, or Japanese nnd we cordially invite the co-operation of every Chamber of Commerce- In the colony to unite with us in bringing, about the above reform." Ho thought it one of the moat serious problem* of the day. The scarcity of servant gJrl» waa forcing many of tho wealthy into domestic slavery, and preventing many other people from settling In tho colony. Mr. Forgniion, tho seconder, had no sympathy with tho idea of a " White Sew Zealand," and favoured importing Japanese if they were n» capable an the mover of the motion Alleged. Mr. Calnau pointed to the fact that our legislation wus ncrnlnst Japanese lahour, ana furthermore tno workingmnn would not submit to it. Mr. Keening considered that in many coses .ho trouble had been accentuated by pcoplo with lnrgc houses enteitaining a lot, nnd going in fnr Rtyle, expecting their servants to do double work at the name wages pmd for atterilion to nn ordiutuy household. Another npeaßer inclined to the helii'f that «Drvantn were treated tno nnu-h lit inferiors, but all agreed that tho cutest inr. was a geriou* one. The discussion «as eventually adjourned till a future meet-