SUITS' HIGH COST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 4

SUITS' HIGH COST

COMPLAINT IN HOUSE “FIELD FOIT INQUIRY" (P.R.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 7. The prices for woollen goods in New Zealand to-day were high, even though the woolgrowers rendered valuable service by contributing £250,000 annually to assist, in keeping prices down, said Mr. D. C. Kidd (Opp.. Waitaki) in the House o f Representatives yesterday when discussing the Wool Industry Bill. Mr. Kidd declared that the prices charged were a matter that should be investigated, because New Zealand should be able to sell the cheapest woollen goods in the world. He added that an analysis of the prices showed that what the grower received for 'his wool was onlv a mere bagatelle compared with the prices charged .for the finished woollen articles. One could not buy a very “flash” suit to-day for under £ls. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opp., Waitomo): Your tailor-made suit to-day is £2O. Mr. Kidd said that would be for a suit of English cloth. The woolgrowers’ share in a suit costing £ls was about 2s 2d. '“I think there is a field of investigation there—from the time the manufacturer receives the wool until the time the finished article is bought by the consumer.” he added. “If the growers gave the wool .that new suit of clothes woifld cost about £l4 155.”