Uglier Prices For Clothing, Footwear

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1947, Page 3

Uglier Prices For Clothing, Footwear

Trade Council Protests

Sharp comment and a strong protest were made at the proposed increase in the prices of footwear and clothing, | which was anticipated in a report from Wellington yesterday, at the monthly meeting of the Whangarei Trades Council last night. The president (Mr F. J. Tercel) was in the chair. The resolution expressing alarm at the proposed increases in the consumer costs of clothing, footwear and other commodities was carried unanimously.

A copy of the resolution is to be sent to the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer). Some delegates considered that profits shown on company balance sheets indicated that increases were not necessary.

Others remarked that the prices of boots, shoes and general clothing were already too high, even at the present rates, i

It was considered that any increase) in wages that had to be paid to the | workers in those industries could be j born* quite easily by the industries | themselves, without inflicting heavier i penalties on the already overburdened : pocket of the general public.

“It is remarkable to note,’’ saic! an- j other delegate, “that even before the j application for higher wages has been j finally dealt with in the Arbitration j Court, manufacturers, wholesalers and | retailers .are clamouring for higher : prices."

The opinion was expressed that a general rise of £1 a week to all workers would not cover the increase in prices of consumer goods, which had already been imposed.