BRISK TRADE

Grey River Argus, 24 June 1925, Page 2

BRISK TRADE

AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 22. Cheerful tidings were contained in tin* ccnversation of the head ot a big Auckland business house to-day. ‘‘Trade is good.’’ he said. ‘‘We are experiencing an excellent winter. Prices have not come down much during the past 18 months. Our rata logue is much the same as it was last year on the average. Some things are goi’iig up a little and some down. ‘‘The purchasing power of the public seems remarkably good. Our takings lust month wore £2OOO more than those of the same month last year. A notable fad, as far as our tailoring department is concerned, is that mer. are going in for expensive suits, no gleeting cheaper suits which are yet good value. The same thing applies in the women’s wear department. The best woollen underwear is selected; in fact, the best of everything. ‘‘l will give you an instatiee. Last I month we advertised two lines oi ladies’ overcoats, one at 29/- and the other at 65/-. The 29/- line was an absolute bargain splendid value, but the (>5/-. line was sold out before we had disposed of half of the cheaper 1 coats. That shows you that people will j have the best, and will pay for it. I ‘‘Another instance of the fact that there is plenty of money about is that purchasing is bv no means confined to necessities. Our biggest inert asms ar. in the sales of such things as pianos, gra mophc'iies, and high-class furniture. “The wel weather experienced recently was a great set-back to trade, and for a couple of weeks the bottom was knocked right out of business in town. Everyone was suffering. "5 <*t. despite this reverse, as I told you, out takings for the month were £2o9') more than was th.* case last year. “What’s the reason of it? Well. I thi'iik that there are a lot of people in New Zealand, and particularly about Auckland with plenty of money, and I think the lifting of the moratorium has released a lot of it. though it may h.fve brought hardship to a few. I think those hardships were generally surmounted, and in a»ny case it brought welcome finality. And it i seems most certainly to have brought about an era of stability. There is mor ( > money being deposited in the banks than ever before ba recent years. Farmers seem secure, for they are spending money much more freely. If is a good thing to see that they are catering well for the comfort of their cattle. The sale of horses and cow rugs is exceeding al* records, and large purchases of new harness are being made. When you see farmers buying new harness you know that things are well with them. ‘‘l think that we have finally got over the period of depression and have entered unon a period of stability and prosperity which will endure.”