STOCKING SHORTAGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 308, 29 December 1944, Page 3

STOCKING SHORTAGE

FOR BRITISH WOMEN

LONDON, November 22. It may be a stockingless New Year for many British women. The Board of Trade is facing a difficult problem in shortages of labour and yarn. Sir Thomas Barlow, DirectorGeneral of Civilian Clothing, disclosed yesterday that the present rate of production was no more than six pairs per woman per year, compared with 14 before the war, states the London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald. Wholesale stocks have been falling for months, and it will be months before the supply increases. To tide over, the Board of Trade required manufacturers to make half of the seamless production in durable types like lisle, but women did not like these heavy stockings. Sir Thomas' statement was read at the Drapers' Chamber of Trade meeting, at which, reports were presented claiming shortages all over the country of all types of clothing and household textiles.

It was stated at the meeting that in six weeks' time stocks would be 33 per cent less than at this time last year. The Board of Trade, which has directed labour into certain industries to better the position, claims that while stocks are not bursting, there is sufficient clothing.