RATIONING OF CLOTHING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23740, 11 September 1942, Page 4

RATIONING OF CLOTHING

Views of Retailers’ President STOCK POSITION IN SHOPS “Altogether the shortage of staffing and of goods has not turned out to be as serious as was expected when clothing rationing was introduced,” said Mr A, S. Drayton, president of the Christchurch Clothing and Boot Retailers’ Association, yesterday in a review of four months’ operations of the rationing system. He gave his opinion that rationing would operate for some time even after the war ended. Anybody with a sense of reality appreciated that the Government’s introduction of rationing was very wise, he said. Even with rationing, stocks of many lines were in short supply. Cotton goods were definitely short, but stocks of apparel of most kinds were In a fairly satisfactory state. Goods made of elastic or using elastic were also in short supply. The shortage in men’s lines had been most pronounced in recent months in pyjamas, braces, and suspenders; but stocks of other, men’s wear was fairly comprehensive. No shortage of any apparels was evident in women’s departments of stores; but the coupon system had slowed up the sale of women’s coats. Blankets were in short supply, and only a few pairs were available to retailers every few w.eeks. Travelling rugs were unprocurable. The real shortage in the manchester .departments was in cotton goods and striped flannelette and winceyettes; most other -lines were available in limited quantities. The position regarding towelling and sheetings would not be serious, said Mr Drayton, unless the public bought unnecessarily. Coupons, however, checked the buying. Furnishings were not rationed, and stocks were good. Big stocks of linoleums were held in the Dominion, and carpet stocks were quite fair. The position regarding hearth rugs was the v/orst in the furnishing section. Stocks of curtain nets were good. The stock position for the second sixmonths period of rationing would depend, said Mr Drayton, on the coupons which the public would have available in October and November. He expected that fewer coupons would oe handled, and that firms would have an opportunity of building up stocks for the second period. “I can see no reason whatever for retrenchment of staffs,” said Mr Drayton when questioned on the outcome of early fears by some retailers. “The position will right itself automatically as the months go by, with less goods arriving and staffs leaving to go into the armed forces. The calling up of girls has had a tremendous effect on most of the firms. With so many of our men away we were hoping that the girls would be able .to hold the fort; but many girls have enlisted before calling-up was ordered. The only good feature about the staff position is that the customers are now so easy to serve. They are more reasonable than they have ever been. If they cannot be served as quickly as they once expected Ihey have no complaints, and they are very understanding when they cannot get their exact requirements.” Schools’ Garden Scheme About 200 pupils of nine schools in the Ashburton County heve entered enthusiastically into a plan to grow vegetables for patriotic purposes in a scheme under the control of the Schools’ Gardens Clubs Committee. The children have undertaken to increase the plots at the various schools, and also to plant vegetables in their home gardens, most children concentrating their efforts on early vegetables. Quantities of seed potatoes have been supplied without charge by Ashburton merchants. When the crops are sold the schools will be permitted to retain amounts up to one half of the proceeds for their own funds, but at least half must be given to patriotic funds. Pupils of the following schools have taken up the scheme as a war effort:—Ashburton East, Ashburton Borough, Allenton, Tinwald. Fairton, 1 Chertsey. Wakanui. Lagmhor. and Westerfleld.