CLOTHING TO BE SIMPLIFIED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23712, 10 August 1942, Page 4

CLOTHING TO BE SIMPLIFIED

NEW ZEALAND SCHEME IN PROGRESS SAVING MANPOWER AND MATERIALS "Simplification of clothing is being undertaken in New Zealand and progress has already been made,” said the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D„ G, Sullivan) yesterday, when referring to advice received from other Empire countries and the United States concerning similar action taken there. "The purpose of this simplification is to conserve manpower and materials so that a maximum quantity of goods will be produced within the limitations of available supplies of raw material and labour, “The Standards Institute, working in collaboration with the Director of Production, the National Service Department, and representative manufacturers, has formulated tentative proposals for the simplification of clothing,” added Mr Sullivan. "It is too early to indicate the exact form that simplification will take, but care is being exercised to avoid calling on persons to make sacrifices which will not yield a corresponding benefit to the community as a whole. Full recognition is being given to the necessity for simplification, but it is considered that nothing so drastic as is implied by the term “austerity clothing’ will be necessary at least at this stage. Principle of Scheme "From an examination of the position it appears that, maximum savings can be effected by simplification along lines which will not unduly interfere with the enterprise of the manufacturer in individual design, style, and finish, nor the taste of the user when these factors do not make excessive demands on materials and labour. Nevertheless, if a saving of 10 or 20 per cent, of the available supplies can be made, and the quantity of garments available proportionately increased. both manufacturers and consumers will benefit correspondingly. This is the principle along which simplification of clothing is being developed “To achieve that desirable economy in New Zealand the simplification programme at present under consideration will include materials used for manufacturing garments and the garments themselves, including men’s, women’s, and children’s outer clothing and underwear. The second stage of the programme will cover standards of quality and standard measurements in relation to garment sizes. In this second stage the object will be to avoid as far as possible the use of materials of so low a quality, or using or processing materials in a way that would produce clothing below marginal service value. Grades of Quality “Nothing, of course, will be done in the direction of making any attempt to reduce each different class of material or garment to one common denominator. It is intended to define the different grades of quality on the basis of the essential factors which determine the utility of the various garments.” Mr Sullivan said that prolonged consultation with the manufacturing interests affected would incur a delay unwarranted by the urgency of the position. A procedure had, therefore, been adopted whereby the proposals could be formulated in full collaboration with the manufacturers withiput formal consultation over extensive periods. The proposals in their final draft form would, however, be submitted through the Manufacturers’ Federation and its district associations and other trading organisations, so that those concerned would'have a few days to review the proposals and submit comments before they were finally published. “The spirit of co-operation which has been displayed by representatives of the manufacturers and other business interests is encouraging.” the Minister concluded. “It is a great contribution towards the problems arising out of the war.