HIGH PRICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 12

HIGH PRICES

SECOND-HAND GOODS :,, EFFECT OF SCARCITIES ROOFING IRON AND CROCKERY Because of scarcities of new materials and goods through restrictions on imports and other causes, high prices for those that are second-hand arc being obtained on the city auction marts" and bv dealers. Goods affected show a surprising range. For example, old roofing iron often sells at higher prices than the new, and housewives compete eagerly for crockery and other kitchenware offered at auction. However, high prices have not caused larger quantities of second-hand goods to be offered for sale, Many classes for which there is a keen demand are difficult to obtain. Not only is new corrugated iron very scarce, but the purposes for which it may be sold are restricted by the Government. So persons who need roofing iron for sheds, garages or fowl houses are compelled to use second-hand. Some 9ft. sheets of jiartly rusted roofing iron and with nail holes sold yesterday at 7s 4d each, it being stated that the purchaser had waited for a year for new iron before lie decided to buy second-hand. A sale at this auction mart of 'three aluminium saucepans for 13s Cd was significant. "A year ago they would have sold at Is each,"'commented the auctioneer. At tho same sale it was noticed that ordinary glass cake dishes brought 4s and 5s each, whereas it was remarked that 12 months ago they probably would not have brought Is each. A sale at auction yesterday that attracted attention was 'lO yards of old bait net for £5. It was agreed that the value of this particular net had risen from 30s in 12 months, nets being scarce because of restrictions on cotton hemp. Another feature was the eager bidding for window sashes containing glass.