1941 AS VICTORY YEAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 9

1941 AS VICTORY YEAR.

LONDON BUSINESS MAN'S VIEW

An indication of the optimistic outlook of the British business man is contained in a letter from the export, manager of a London firm of fabric manufacturers to the firm’s friends in New Zealand. He describes 1941 a., “victory year.” “A Christmas message in wartime seems like a contradiction in terms, hut we tliink that our friends in New Zealand may like to know how this house and its staff at London are getting along in the second year of the war,” he writes. “With the exception of a few key men our younger staff has joined the forces. The home trade is cut down by Government orders, hut export demand has increased and important sections of our production are needed for service supplies. Part of the staff has evacuated, that dealing with records and accounts, but the remainder is still here and is adjusting itself to new conditions."

“In common with other large business houses wc have a large and specially reinforced basement shelter with first-aid equipment, air-raid wardens, and fire-fighters. In the early days of air raids and in accordance with Government instructions, we took shelter when the warning was sounded, but this interfered too much with work. Now we take shelter only when our roof spotters sound a special hooter, which is an indication that raiding bombers have got too near. “Most of the lawns and gardens in Hanover Square have been sacrificed for building public air-raid shelters in brick and concrete. Expressed as a percentage the buildings hit' by bombing, has however, caused a few scars on well-known houses within a radius of 150 yards of its.

“So far as export trade is concerned sales continue to rise steadily. Occasionally transport and shipping have been interrupted and the lost merchandise has had to bo replaced. These are misfortunes beyond our control, but wo believe that little or no inconvenience has been caused as we. have special arrangements for dealing quickly with such incidents. “We send you Christmas greetings and best -wishes for the year 1941 Victory Year!”