NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 21 July 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

It has probably needed such a detailed statement of the rublx-r shortage as that given by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, yesterday Jo drive home to the public the acuteness of the position. The community now lias a clear picture of the shortage, and also of the kind of help that can be given by the public to alleviate it in some measure. Many people formerly indifferent to the appeals for old rubber should now feel the urge to respond. But that is only part of the matter. How to get the thousand and one odd lots of old rubber lying about in the yards and sheds of residents all over the country to the central depots is the other part of it. There must obviously be some systematic method of collecting otherwise it is more than probable that those thousand and one lots of discarded rubber will be left lying where they are. If the need is so great, as stressed by the Minister, it is not unreasonable to suggest that Ins department, in collaboration witli the special branch appointed to deal with this particular problem, should consider it worth while to make the necessary arrangements for collecting the old rubber. People are more than willing to give, but they are less inclined to deliver because of the difficulties involved.

One of the most successful of the local steps taken to approximate civilian purchases to actual supplies has been the rationing of clothing and clothing materials. The new order was introduced witli almost an entire absence of friction, and the individual inconveniences that were unavoidable were accepted in good spirit. The controlling authorities showed an aptitude for meeting the changing position, and this has been further illustrated by the announcement that the rationing officers will be empowered to issue permits to meet special conditions. There are some industries that require, for their purposes, certain classes of goods covered by the rationing orders. There are also various organizations engaged in social or charitable work that have special requirements, and businesses that cater for the travelling public. It has been announced that adjustments will be made, within the framework of the general scheme, so that these individuals, firms or organizations can secure their minimum requirements, and safeguards are provided to prevent, the system being exploited. These adjustments are evidence of an elasticity that, should go a long way to ensure the smooth working of the scheme, and the provision for replacing clothing lost by fire or theft will certainly do much to prevent real hardship.