Service Section

Around Sydney Shops

OPRING FEVERS: August is the month when “Spring Openings’’ compete with “Winter Clearances” (in the drapery world it is no longer the done thing to speak of “sales”). So far the clearances are winning in a canter, due, no doubt, to the fact that this is the first time that clothing has been coupon free for six years. Retailers are taking the opportunity to rid themselves of accumu lated stocks. You would be disappointed, however, if you expected bargains. The clothes may be old-fashioned, but the prices are not.

The director of one of Sydney’s largest emporiums, at great expense, have imported a collection of Christian Dior models which are calculated to set Aus tralia by the ears. In case you don’t know.

Christian Dior was the gentleman (French) who invented the New Look. On Australian standards, his collection is ridiculous, impractical for this part of the world, and looks exactly like some thing mother wore back in 1916. Never theless, at the gala, super-dooper open ing in Sydney on July 31, it was greeted as a sensation by the cafe-society of the town, who rolled up to gaze and to partake of the champagne buffet-supper Proceeds were in aid of the Food for Britain Fund.

One gown was described as a sheath of black wool with a horse-collar of taffeta. If anyone should fancy this num ber we will do our best for you, by direct representation.

SUBSIDIES: One of the things with which Australia was threatened by Papa Ben Chifley if they voted “No” at the referendum last May, was the removal of domestic subsidies. He has kept his pro mise and one of the commodities affected is woollen goods. The subsidy ended with July. About five months’ stocks are held by manufacturers, but when these are used up it is expected that woollen piece goods will increase in price by about 10/per yard; knitting wool by 6/- per pound.

There is a whisper that the subsidy may be revived. The steep increase in the cost of clothing which would result is likely to bring down the wrath of Aus tralia on the Government rather than on the Opposition—which was apparently the original idea of Chifley & Co.

SWIM SUITS: The beginning of August saw the release of the first 1948 swim-suits. In spite of the icy blasts from the mountains there were some takers.

If you have a pre-war model tucked away somewhere —resurrect it. No one will know the difference.

Bare middles, G-strings, and so-called French bathing-suits are out. One-piece costumes are the thing. In plain or printed satin lastex they are anything up to £5. In less glamorous fabrics they cost from 30/- up. Some of last season’s white elephants are selling for as little as 10/-.

Drive-Yourself Cars: Cars Can

be hired by the day, week or month, but like other things, the rates have gone up tremendously. As an example for those who contemplate this kind of holiday, we

quote one firm which offers 10 HP sedans at £lO/10/- per week. This allows for a maximum mileage of 150 miles. If this is exceeded in the week then an extra 7d. per mile is charged. Another firm which hires out American sedans quotes £l2/10 - per week. If you would like to trail a caravan along—which can be ex ceedingly pleasant—it would cost you a further £5 per week.

FOOD PARCELS: Food parcels for Britain, and indeed all parcels for Britain which are required to arrive there for Christmas, should be attended to now, without delay. It still takes months for these parcels to arrive at their destination, in spite of considerable complaint in Aus tralia.

Those who wish parcels to be sent to friends in Britain for Christmas presents should state whether or not they want a greeting card enclosed. The price of food parcels varies from 16 - to 27/-, which includes Australian postage of 5/10.