FURNISHING A HOME.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 27 March 1922, Page 6

FURNISHING A HOME.

REDUCTION IN THE COST

With a view to ascertaining how prices are at present for modern furniture and furnishings, a New Zealand ; limes representative made enquiries from the managers of a few of WelImgton's biggest furnishing emporiums, i Taking the contents of a house of j to-day, moderately furnished, it was ( explained that, compared with twelve months ago, the prices have fallen approximately 20 to 25 per cent. This would, no doubt, be a pleasing fact to the young man contemplating equip- | ping a home. In some instances, of course, the reductioa represented even a greater percentage, but much depended upon individual taste, and the j buyer's purse. For the man of moderate means, it was explained that today he could, at some places in the ' city, furnish two rooms and kitchenette for just on £50. Even for this j price excellent material was used, anil j the best of workmanship put in the ! , work. Asked how this could be done, , one local manufacturer said that keen ' business methods and volume of busiI ness had enabled him to make this offer to the public. "One cannot peer into the future altogether these days,", said another furniture-dealer when questioned in regard to the possibility of future reductions or increases. The present drop on last year's prices was more or less significant For instance, timber had ! fallen, and was still showing a ten- I dency to decrease, but it would be' , tolly to imagine that it would go on ' | m that way indefinitely. Glass and ! mirrors were able to be purchased by manufacturers cheaper to-day than a ' few months ago. This all had an effect on the finished article, which quite naturally could consequently be quoted at a reduced figure. Turning to carpets and floor-coverings generally, the reduction in this line of the business was anywhere up to 25 per cent "So you see," he said, "'the presentday pnces speak hopefully f or the future. . . The fact of the matter is that we are buying our goods cheaper and are passing them on to the purchaser. ./. . There is a sort of mutual benefit about it, and it points to the tact that we are niming in the direction of stabilisation of trade, that is, for ' local products." ' j

As an it,^^, co of how furniture d fiirTjiPhina: vnlues had been reduced within recent months, one dealer said fti ll 5 ef rd to oak future, a double bedstead made of this timber in the best grade to^Jay cost about £8 10s as against £10 17s 6d, say, about twelve months ago. Take the same' article made m a cheaper grade • they were able to quote this at £5 7s 6d but the price twelve months ago was in SSmT Mty °f 5 6i?&- A" °a^ dini"g" room table could be turned out to-day nLSh? 0! °f £5 } 7s 6d ' but CO«W not possibly be manufactured twelve months ago under the sum of £7 10s; the latter ?uS eom:r. COUrSe 'WaSthat asked «• nrettv 61* Tf 6 quoted' but w«r«l llovl W-T / n *? e Same lines » lhS» 5+Z nf ? rofess to be a p™-1 Phet said the dealer, "and cannot say ture t rntS UGf + WiH take for furni^ jure m the future. ... It seem? ' fit' ff + P- n'CeS Wi" remai" SSS ■ smihW S°'T me\ Any way'" he . tW i?i +t° f he buyer> there is "0 time like the 'present.' "