CHRISTMAS BUYING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 3

CHRISTMAS BUYING

NEW SYDNEY RECORD KEENNESS ABOUT PRICES [l'ltOM OUR OWN COKKKSI'ONDEXT] SYDNEY, Dec. •_>(; Sydney retailers slate that, biiying this Christmas established a record, exceeding even what one mauagingdirector called the "staggering figures of last year." In spite of heavy rain on Friday the large city shops were thronged. At one shop .!()() people were waiting for the doors to ripen in the morning. There were similar crowds on Saturday morning and on Monday and Tuesday. Some surprise was expressed that tne Christinas spirit deleated widespread resolutions to economise, which lollowcd the recent announcement of heavy taxation. The theory ot a leading draper was that spending power had swung over Irom the well-to-do to people receiving £-100 a year or less. A great many more were in employment, and the field of spending had been widened by the war. Little difference has been noticed in the nature ot the demand except that there is greater keenness about prices, and a decided preference tor gifts that are useful rather than ornamental. A wide range of "novelties ' previously imported from European countries is missing. I>ut some of them have been replaced by similar goods ol Australian manufacture, such as imitation jewellerv. dress novelties and trimmings. Alter this Christmas these industries should bo well established in Australia. WI LUNA ORE. LIMITED LONDON, Dec. 20 The annual report of \\ iluna Gold Mines, Limited, the operating company of YViluna Gold Corporation, Limited, says that the systematic exploration of the mine in Western Australia is now under review. With the exception ot the Happy Jack area, where certain work is still under way, all locations favourable to ore deposition have been explored. Results have not been encouraging. T here appears little prospect of any new ore being discovered. Ore in reserve on the Happy Jack area is estimated at ID.IOO tons, representing new ore exposed as a result of exploratory work.