DEARER FURNITURE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 100, 8 April 1936, Page 15

DEARER FURNITURE

Local Dealers’ Expectation THE FORTY-HOUR WEEK Representatives of the furniture trade in Hastings and Napier said yesterday afternoon that one result of the introduction of the 40-hour week mfght be that furniture prices would increase, though to what extent none could say. In seme places the higher prices gained for wool had resulted in increased costs of material, and it was to be presumed that this extra cost would have to be passed on to the consumer. In general both Napier and Hastings retailers reported a litt iu the furniture businesq compared with the early mouths of last year. Oue said ho had enjoyed a much greater volume ol' business; another that there was au improvement; u third said things were infinitely better than the first quartet of 1935; another that trade was better last quarter than it had been tor several years. All agreed that the carpet trade patticularly was thriving, and that there was a good demand tor better-quality rugs and carpets —better than there had been for four years at least. One shopkeeper said that this year the public was buying carpet material at 22/u yard, whereas not more than 12 months before the general demand was confined to materials at 14/- a yard. He took this as a sign that a great deal more money was in circulation, and that on the average people were better off than they were a year ago. At one time he rarely sold carpets below 18/- a yard. Then came the depression, and with it a demand for cheaper carpets, which meant poorerquality materials. Now the public was able to pay a few shillings extra n yard, and in addition the demand was stronger. Ho gave the opiuion ihut the rise iu wool prices must bring higher prices for carpets. During the slump period, when the market was depressed at the same time as spending power was lessoned, carpet sellers iu England “scrambled for business,’’ with the re suit that iu a number of instances quality suffered. With the passing ot that period and the establishment ot a more stable condition, the position had improved for everyone. All the furniture dealers approached seemed to think that the proposed 40hour week would affect the prices of furniture and furnishings. If it did, probably the present good demand would be affected, since, if wages were raised and the number of hours worked were less than now, the increases would have to be added to the costs of production, and so to the ultimate retail sefft my nrieo.