'ONLY SANE WAY'

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 125, 29 May 1942, Page 4

'ONLY SANE WAY'

VIEWS ON RATIONING

EQUAL FOOTING FOR ALL

Aucklanders awoke to-day to the fact that rationing of clothing, footwear and household linen was in actual operation. Under the Clothing Rationing Order, 1942, no articles covered by it could be sold from to-day without the stipulated number of ration coupons. Traders received no prior intimation that the scheme was in operation.

With rationing thus sprung suddenly upon them, representatives of the large city stores were not clear this morning as to how the scheme would affect the people until they had gone thoroughly into the matter. It meant that they had to get the situation clear before they could speak authoritatively. On all sides, however, satisfaction was expressed that something definite had happened to curtail the buying, which, although not in a panic way, had been going on systematically for some time.

Viewed With Relief The man in the street viewed the scheme with relief. It was generally stated that the rationing of clothes and footwear was the only fair wav to handle any possible shortage of stocks. It was generally agreed, too, that the coupons were adequate. "It wilt certainly give a more even distribution and help to conserve present stocks," said a representative of a large city retail store. "There has been a little more buying than usual on the part of the "public as though rationing were anticipated. Now stocks will be kept more stable for all customers, and those who cannot afford to spend so much will net' be penalised. "As far as household linens are concerned, the rationing has come a little late, since most stores are very low in these stocks, owing to the import restrictions," he added. "In the fashion lines, however, we have good stocks, and consequently the rationing will allect these. "On the face of it, it looks as though our turnover will be reduced somewhat."' he added, though he qualified this by saying that It was a little early yet to make any prophecies. "Fifty-two coupons do not allow for a great deal of buying, but no coupon system would permit of lull buying. "For instance, coats for men take 12 coupons, and suits 10. Women have to surrender six coupons for a coat and 11 for a costume, which means that they haven't much left for other big articles of clothing. Accepted Quietly "We are glad the Government announced tne rationing scheme overnight, as was done in Engird, rather than adopt the Australian method," said a representative of another store. "There is no opportunity now for the orgy of buying which occurred in Australia, as a result of the fact that the scheme was announced for a date set in the future. The present scheme was the only sane way to bring in rationing, and the fact, that there can be no arguing about it will probably help in making both shops and people j accept it quietly." No immediate effect on shopping to-day was reported by the manager of another store. Public reaction had not yet crystallised, and shopping during the morning had been normal for a Friday. Asked whether many people had been surprised to learn of the rationing, he said that a few had. Some women, not having read the announcement, did not have their coupon books with them, and consequently could not buy what they wanted. They were quite calm in accepting the position, however. The manager added that as a war measure clothes rationing could only be regarded as necessary in the national interest. His store had no criticism to make generally, although cer*-si.n items needed clarifying. Most we. Organised stores had had a system £v! rationing for some time past, and to were more or less familiar with the idea.

No Sign of Panic Buying. The manager of an Auckland firm of men's outfitters stated that in recent advertisements clients had been advised to buy. but, in spite of the likelihood of the rationing of clothing, there had been no sign of panic buying. This experience was general throughout New Zealand as far as the men were concerned. The women had shown themselves to be more alert than the men, but even they had not rushed the stores in the manner of the Australians who, as yet, were not subjected to restrictions. "I happened to be fairly well stocked, not because I have done any extra buying, but because I have always believed that the best economy is to replenish wisely," said a business man. "But I've been caught without any shorts!" he added with a laut h. He expressed the opinion that ratio*"ng was the only fair way. and he tnought it should have been brought in long ago. "Too many of us have discarded suits too soon Now we will have to wear them a bit longer and that will not hurt anv of us; on the contrary, it will do us good. We have been soft for too long."