COST OF CLOTHING

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14255, 5 January 1920, Page 3

COST OF CLOTHING

THREE TIME* PRE-WAR RATES. Further details of the increased cost of tiring of a large sectien of the workers in England were obtained by a Daily News representative recently. The Investigation arose out of the claim by many railwaymen that the Labour Gazette estimate of an increase of 116 per cent in the general level of retail prices since 1914 did not accurately represent their pre-war and present purchasing power. The following figures wore given by a large retail firm of clothiers and outfitters, which make a specialty of catering for workers. The prices quoted are limited to workers who In 1914 earned, roughly, from 18s to 25s a weels: — Men's suits, ready mades —1914, 30s; to-day, £4. Men's boots—l9l4", 10s; to-day, 30s. Men's caps—l9l4, 6Jd to Is; to-day, as 6d to 2s 6d. Men's shirts—l9l4, 2s lid to 3s 6d; to-day, 6s lid to 7a lid. Men's cotton merino pants and vests—l9l4, 2s lid; to-day, 5s lid to 7s lid. Men's socks—l9l4, 6id to BJd; to-day, Is lid to 2s 6d. Men's felt hatß—l9l4, 2s 6d to 3s 6d, to-day, 6s 6d to 7s 6d. Men'» linen collars —1914, 4Jd; to-day 7£d. Men's ties—l9l4, 6Jd; to-day, Is 3 Jd. Dungaree overalls —1914, 2s lid to 4s lid; to-day, 10s lid to 12s. Youths' suits—l9l4, 24s to 255; to-day, 37s to 425. Boys' suits (five to eight years)—l9l4, 4s lid to 12s lid; to-day, 18s to 30s. Boots (boys)—l9l4, 4s lid to 7s lid; to-day, 13s 6d to 16s 6d. Boots (youths)—l9l4, 6s lid to 9s lid; to-day, 15s 6d to 235; boys' and youths' caps—l9l4, 6Jd to Is; to-day, Is 6d.to 2s 6d. Boys' and youths' collars — 1914, 4 id; to-day, 7.Ad. Boys' and youths' ties —1914, 6d; to-day, Is 3id. Many of the prices quoted at present it was explained, are for inferior qualities of goods, compared with 1914. "Women's, girls', and children's clothing," said a member of the firm, "are 200 per cent above pre-war prices, and millinery has risen about 100 per cent. Calico and flannelette, which used to sell at from 2Jd to 10fd a yard, is now Is lid a yard. An infants' outfit which formerly cost £1 is now about £3. "The result is that many people are buying less, because they cannot afford the present prices. Others have got Into the clutches of 'taliv' men and women. These who used to buy their clothes by instalments had the articles laid aside for them until pyaments were complete. To-day, it takes too long to pay off 'lay by' article instalments. Hence, the 'tally' men and women have stepped in, and by tempting poorer people by letting thme have the goods on payment of a first instalment, they are able to charge them 50 to 100 per cent higher prices to their own costs and ltfsses from bad debts.''