HOSIERY SUPPLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 174, 25 July 1941, Page 8

HOSIERY SUPPLIES

SOLUTION SUGGESTED

"RELAX RESTRICTIONS"

The contention that the shortage of women's hosiery in New Zealand could be speedily removed if the Government relaxed its import restrictions was advanced this morning by Mr. Walter B. Williams, of Auckland, representative of Canadian and British hosiery manufacturers. In replying to the statement made by Mr. W. Fairbrother, of Christchurch, general manager of a wellknown hosiery firm, that the people of New Zealand had very little to complain about over the shortage of stockings, Mr. Williams said he disagreed with this point of view. Indeed, they had every reason for complaint for the reason that the shortage could be removed by the easing of the restrictions, which were at present imposed on both woollen and silk hosiery.

Mr. Williams explained that ten months ago he had applied for a permit to establish a hosiery plant in New Zealand and had given evidence in support of his application before a special committee set up by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. After the expiry of two months he was informed that the application had been refused on the ground that local hosiery mills had given assurances that they were able to overtake any shortage in hosiery supplies in 1941. Xo Call on Dollar Funds Mr. Williams added that all further applications for a permit to establish a factory had similarly been declined, although he had made it clear that the cost of the plant, which it was proposed to establish in New Zealand, would have been paid in Canada and therefore would involve no call on dollar funds. "My people in Canada would be prepared to execute all orders received from New Zealand within a reasonable time, and are particularly keen to do business with the Dominion as they have been doing business here for many years," said Mr. Williams. "All orders I am able to send to England also are fully executed, although the volume of business is seriously cut down by import restrictions. These orders are confined to girls gym. hose only, women's hose being entirely prohibited. Despite the war situation, my English principals are exceedingly keen to do business with New Zealand and are prepared if given the opportunity, to fulfil orders for women's hosierv.' .