SUPPLY OF ALARM CLOCKS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23973, 14 June 1943, Page 6

SUPPLY OF ALARM CLOCKS

MINISTER EXPLAINS DISTRIBUTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 13. The Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), replying to a recent report about the Government distribution of imported alarm clocks, said the clocks had arrived from Canada as a small part of a Government order, the Canadian Government having refused to allow export, except as a Government to Government transaction, which meant that New Zealand agents for the clocks in question could not procure supplies through the ordinary channels. As the shipment was only a fraction of the total order, the New Zealand agents sought the advice of the Ministry of Supply about the most equitable distribution to essential workers. The most convenient way of doing this to certain classes of workers was through their respective national organisations, and this was done after satisfactory assurances had been given of a strict watch on the needs of the recipients. In addition, a portion of the shipment was sold to personnel of the armed services. The amount then left over for distribution to the retail trade was necessarily very small, but it was anticipated that subsequent shipments would soon be available to the trade in general. Mr Sullivan said that whatever clocks came to hand would be distributed through the trade.