RISE IN PRICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 10

RISE IN PRICES

BRITISH WOOLLENS e EFFECTS OF THE WAR HIGH IMPORT COSTS Men and -women's woollen materials are now arriving from Britain in Auckland at the high costs brought about by war conditions, and the effect of this is already noticeable in the prices of tailored and other clothing. Lower grades of woollen materials are stated to be showing a much higher rate of advances because crossbred wools, in demand for Army uniforms, are used in their manufacture. Overseas prices for the better grades of woollen materials have risen by 50 p>?r cent since the war started, but, based on a comprehensive selection of overseas prices, the advance for lower grades is about 75 per cent. Some British manufacturers cannot quote at all for some of the cheaper types of crossbred ■woollen materials because of the demand by the British Government. Other quotations are subject to the release of wool under the control scheme when the order is placed. Worsteds and Serge Cabled quotations submitted as typical showed that the price® of a fancy worsted of medium quality had increased from os '»' M a yard to 8s Sd, a plain herring hone worsted from 3s 9d to Gs Od, a better quality fancy worsted from 7s Od to lis and an ordinary blue serge from 4s Id two months ago to 7s od. Higher landing charges increased the cost in Auckland considerably. Based on a ol\ per cent lamling charge which then ruled, a material at the pre-war overseas price of 7s Od a yard vras landed in Auckland at a cost of approximately ]2s a yard. The same cloth, now quoted at lis Od. on higher landing charges of 70 per cent, was received at a cost of approximately 19s Od a yard. , Effect on Suit Prices An importer pointed out that on this ! illustration the material employed on a ' man's suit of clothes would cost about 24s more than it did in September last. Linings, buttons and other extras on a suit now cost lip to 10s more than in 1 September. ' Among materials that some Auck- ! land importers have bei?n unable to secure because of .British Government requirements in crossbred wools is that used for what is known as gymnasium frocks, for which there is a big demand in Xew Zealand. Moreover, on cabled inquiry this week as to when a popular grade of cotton piece-goods could be shipped, the reply was received that delivery would be started in three months and completed in eight months. Before the war shipment was always made immediately following placement of the order.