CLOTHES RATIONING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 6

CLOTHES RATIONING

POSITION OF DRAPERS KEPLACEMKXT OP STOCKS (0.C.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. The impression gained by some retailers that they may have to use coupons when ordering fresh stocks from the manufacturers and wholesalers is incorrect. Supplies will continue to be available to the shopkeepers from wholesale houses in the same manner as before, and no coupons will be required from the retailer for the goods he draws for sale. However, some New Plymouth shopkeepers are still in doubt as to the ultimate dispersal of the coupons which they clip from customers' ration books when making sales. These coupons must always be surrendered bv customers for rationed goods, and they must be retained by the shopkeeper until the end of each month when each one must be accounted for and sent to the chief rationing controller, Wellington. Traced goods had caused some confusion in the drapery trade, and some stores had been selling them without requiring coupons, under the impression that thfy were notl included in the rationing scheme. Cloth, whether cotton >r linen, on which patterns were traced, was included in the schedule of fabrics and articles made therefrom. According to the measurements c' traced goods purchasers must surrender coupons for them. The rationing system in its entirety is working exVemely well, it is stated by retailers. The speed with which shoppers had adapted themselves iO it was a cause of pleasant surprise to drapers. How turnover was being affected in shops it was impossible to say yet. Counter hands reported that many shoppers had already used all their coupons, but it was equally obvious that many people had not even made a start.