SILK STOCKINGS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 238, 8 October 1941, Page 11

SILK STOCKINGS

SUPPLIES FOR N.Z.

MR. NASH EXPLAINS POSITION (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The statement that the Government, through the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, was trying at the present time to obtain from the United Kingdom the maximum quantity of silk stockings that could be made available from this quarter to augment locallymanufactured stockings was made by the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Nash explained that the shortage in local supplies was caused through the manufacturers not being able to produce the quantity that had been estimated, and this position was due to the sinking of a consignment of additional machinery and to a shortage of skilled operatives. Mr. Nash was replying to an urgent question asked by Mr. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo), who, after drawing attention to the statement made in Christchurch this week on the subject by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, and to the replies made by wholesalers and retailers, wanted to know if sufficient import licenses would be granted immediately to enable the shortage to be overcome or considerably reduced. He also asked if

r. license would be granted to the Canadian manufacturer who was anxious to set up a factory in New Zealand to do so now. Mr. Broadfoot added that supplies of silk stockings were at present available in Great Britain and Australia.

Shortage of Operatives

Tl.e Minister, referring to the lack of skilled operatives, said that up to 50 per cent had joined the forces, and the question arose of whether exemption should be sought for these workers. If that was to be done, did jt mean that the supply of silk stockings was of more importance than the men going to the front? He did not think it was.

At the present time 250,000 dozen pairs of silk stockings a vear were being manufactured in the Dominion. Mr. Nash said, and production would have been greater but for the sinking of the additional machinery on its way to the Dominion. There were supplies available in the United Kingdom, but the authorities there were stopping the manufacture of the stockings. However, the New Zealand Government had been advised that of the supplies available New Zealand could obtain its share.

New Zealand, continued Mr. Nash, would not be able to obtain supplies of silk stockings from the United States or Canada, because it would be unfair to use up dollars definitely required to buy war equipment. It might be a little difficult to obtain the stockings from the United Kingdom, because the British Government desired to sell the quantities it had available to countries where it could obtain credits outside the sterling area.

Rationing Scheme

Mr. Nash said he doubted whether it would be wise at the present time formally to introduce a rationing scheme. He referred to the enterprise and forethought of one manufacturer who inquired for the silk stocking requirements of his employees and then arranged with one of the large retail houses to supply him in a recognised rationed quantity.

Mr. Osborne (Government, Onehunga): How about the married woman who doesn't go to work in an office or factory?

Mr. Nash: She will have to get her husband to look after her. (Laughter.) Mr. Nash said he did not know whether supplies of silk stockings were available in Australia.

Mr. Broadfoot: What about the Canadian manufacturer?

Mr. Nash said he had discussed the whole matter with the Minister of Industries and Commerce. The position was that the plant in the Dominion would be sufficient if the required number of skilled operatives was available and the new plant had arrived. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland: Wouldn't it be a good idea to bring in more machinery? Mr. Nash said that the person concerned had the right to get a similar license to import more machinery.