WOOLLEN TRADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 130, 14 March 1945, Page 3

WOOLLEN TRADE

a CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN.

SUPPLIES FOR CIVILIANS.

STEPS FOR IMPROVEMENT (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.;) (Rec. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. ll Fears of a serious shortage of avool clothing in the British civilian market are voiced by certain representatives of the merchanting and retail trade, but these fears are not seriously regarded in wool trade circles. These fears may arise because Avar production still makes lieaA r y calls on clothmanufacturing capacity and Avar orders must liaA r e the earliest possible fulfilment, even if this involves delay in civilian deliveries.

Certain delays are apparent in the civilian trade, but every effort is made to cope Avith urgent requirements for export, especially for the Dominions, such as NeAV Zealand, which have but a limited capacity to cater for their oavh requirements in woollen goods.

Amid various priority calls on the British production of avool textiles the British home market may feel someAvhat neglected at times, but there is no evidence of a shortage of goods and it seems necessary to distinguish between wartime limitations in the choice, Avhich is inevitable, and an actual shortage. It is also recognised that as soon as the pressure of Avar orders relaxes a productive capacity which remains substantial after 51 years of Avar can immediately be switched to production for civilians. The best news of the Aveek -is that British avool textile mills; are to have their supply of labour augmented. It is officially announced that as munition Avorkers with experience in wool textiles are released from the production of munitions they may return to the tvoollen mills and will not he directed to other Avar work.

This news brings the first prospect for tAvo or three years of a definite increase in Britain’s wool-consuming capacity” and will he Avelcomed as much in the Dominions as here. The neAVS implies official recognition of the high importance of every section of the British production of woollen cloth to-day and of the vital part it will play in post-war rehabilitation. Clothing is second only to food among human necessities and the manufacture of cloth and clothing seem likely to be high priority trades for some time to come.

British Avoollen mills, Avith their present limited facilities for labour, are performing remarkable feats of production to-day in executing Avar orders, maintaining the home ration of clothes and limited civilian relief, and also for the advance provision of civilian outfits for troops who may be demobilised in due course. Each of these demands has its share in the total production and the weight of wool passing through British machinery is probably of record volume in relation t-o the operatives available.