COST OF CLOTHING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 6

COST OF CLOTHING.

A CHEERLESS OUTLOOK. (Feom Oxtb Own Cobbespondisnt.) AUCKLAND, February 28. The prediction of drapers over a year ago that, despite the ending of the war, the price of clothing would not decrease for at least two years was badly received by many people at the time, but tune has proved that, if anything, these forecasts erred on the side of optimism. Not only has there been- no decrease in pr:o2s, but it is now absolutely certain that the coming season will bring advances in the cost of every lihe of clothing and drapery that may well strike despair into the hearts of those faced with the problem of clothing their families or setting up home on a meagre income. They will not even have the solace of the annual "bargain" sates on the usual scale, for several of > Auckland's largest drapery firms have decided not to hold them this summer. As one manager remarked yesterday, it would be a mere fallacy to throw away goods at reduced prices which cannot be replaced save at a much higher figure. Sales will therefore be limited to the pricing of a few " fashion" lines for which quick clearing is iiecessary. . In the opinion of a great English manufacturer, quoted yesterday by an Auckland draper., it will'be from two to five years before there is an appreciable drop in prices. The manager of a local drapery firm stated yesterday that he had just been advised that prices in the catalogue issued a couple, of months ago by a great British manufacturing house which had not even reached Auckland yet would have to be advanced 100 per cent. "We don't knowwhere we are with orders nowadays," he said. " Quite often we cable Home an order from manufacturers' samples, and the price advances before it can be confirmed. Only the other day we placed an order for a certain line at 3s 7d a yard, and by tio time it was received in London the pric© had risen to 5s 4d." The adverse rate of exchange with America is also seriously affecting the and local houses are dispensing with American goods rather than pay the exorbitant increase in their cost.