CHANGE OF FASHION

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 3

CHANGE OF FASHION

LOSS OF TRADE CAUSED. A change in the fashion of men’* hats has led to ft serious decline in the export of Australian rabbitskins. During the first six months of the year : shipments showed a decrease of 48 percent., and while the general depression in trade is held to be responsible for -J some part of this, exporters are convinced that the predominance, in tho . United States and elsewhere, of nats of light shades is largely the cause. According to the latest advices from America, subdued shades are no longer ■ favoured for men’s headgear. Illustrated booklets show felts of light green, pink, light blue, yellow and light fawn. It is pointed out that these dyes will only “take” on what is known in the trade as “white fur,” and Australian, fur is uniformly “dark.” One large exporter who usually carries on a largd trade with a number of hat manufacturers in the United States is now unable to obtain orders of any size from that direction. . . A comparison of the price ruling ar August last year for rabbitekius with/. tha° quoted this month shows, a fall of , nearly two-thirds. There is, therefore, ' not the same inducement to trappers, .. and the. catch so far .this year Jias. de-. dined to the same.extent as the amdiviir of exports —namely, 48. per cent, v