Prices Of Men’s Suits

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 6

Prices Of Men’s Suits

(Mr. Sowden), answering Mr. Osborne (Opp., Onehunga), said the Price Control division keeps a close watch on prices charged by both manufacturers and bespoke tailors for all types of clothing, including men's suits. “The Director of Price Control reports that the Division has found no evidence during recent months of any over-charging for men’s suits by either clothing manufacturers or tailors, and the Division has not received any complaints from the public on that subject,” said the Minister. “Prosecutions for over-charging were taken against a few tailors toward the end of last year. The Division will continue these checks on prices as in the past, and prosecutions will be made where warranted.” Mr. Osborne had asked the Minister if the public would be protected against alleged illegal exploitation, supposedly revealed in a report published of recent Arbitration Court proceedings. According to this newspaper report, the employers’ representative had admitted that some clothing manufacturers charged in excess of the maximum price allowed for suits. Mr. Bowden said there was no evidence of a breach of the law as no specific instance was mentioned, or recorded of manufacturers accepting additional unreceipted payments for suits.