HIGHER PRICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22518, 8 September 1936, Page 8

HIGHER PRICES

LOCAL WOOLLEN GOODS

MILLS INCREASE THE RATES IMPORTED ARTICLES DEARER Woollen mills throughout the Dominion issued new price lists yesterday, showing advances of 10 to 12£ per cent, on the old rates, as a result of higher costs caused by advances in wages and the operation in their industry of the 40-hours week. Overseas prices for materials also are rising, one importer having received six cablegrams in the past few days announcing increases in quotations. It was also pointed out that apart from the higher price of materials, both imported and Dominionmade, the cost of making up clothing had also increased. A manufacturer's estimate of the increased cost of making a suit of clothes for a man was \7\ per cent, which would represent about 5 to 6 per cent on the total value of the suit. To these advances would probably soon be added a slight addition, representing increased selling costs.

In the shirt-making industry, prices recently were advanced by about 5 per cent to cover extra wages costs, but no increase is said to be expected for the time being because of the operation of the 40-hours week. Much may depend, it is stated, on the rates of wages to be fixed by the Arbitration Court in an impending dispute.