NO EASY SOLUTION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 13

NO EASY SOLUTION

HOSIERY SHORTAGE

DIFFICULTIES OVERSEAS

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. ] "The people of New Zealand have j < very little to complain about over l' the shortage of stockings."' said Mr. i ■ W. Fairbrother, general manager of | • a well-known hosiery firm, upon his |' return to Christchurch from a four :' months' visit to the United States. j' Difficulties of all descriptions kept ; arising for New Zealand manufacture | ers, who were doing their best to < supply the country's need, he said. ! Supplies of cotton yarn were ditTi- • cult to secure because of the British : Government's requirements for war ! purposes. Rayon chemical was being j affected through the war, while i woollen yarns overseas were also, being commandeered for military | requirements. Contrary to the general view, said I Mr. Fairbrother. the hosiery shortage j could not be solved by granting: import licenses. English hosiery j workers had been transferred to war j work and the hosiery production • there was needed for home consump-1 tion. Supplies were available in' the United States, but the Lease-or-' Lend Act was only just operating i and it was obvious; war essentials j [had to be considered before domestic ! requirements. Australia had no I surplus to export and manufacturing I j difficulties there were increasing ■ ; because of men being called up for : military service and the shortage of. raw materials. Conditions were! such that Australian plant could not ! i be kept going at full capacity.