Knitted Comforts

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 98, 14 December 1943, Page 5

Knitted Comforts

NEW ZEALAND FORCES

NEXT YEAR'S NEEDS

A National Patriotic Fund Board statement dealing with knitted woollen comforts for the New Zealand Forces pays a tribute to the women and girls of New Zealand for their work in this important sphere of patriotic activities. Returns for the 12 months ended. September 30 last are not yet complete, but from the outbreak of war to the end ,of September, 1942, New Zealand women had knitted over 1,000,000 garments for the patriotic organisation. Mainly because these woollen garments are issued through the Services or are held in reserve to meet war emergencies, the results of this work by women all over New Zealand ido not come prominently before the public. This is acknowledged in the report, and. also the fact that the knitters are making a moat valuable contribution to the patriotic war effort. "The appreciation of our men," the report adds, "is their only reward."

At present, the board reports, stocks ,of khaki woollens are good, and stocks of Navy and Air Force j woollens are very low. Because of the considerable expansion that has taken place in the Air Force, assistance is particularly needed^from khaki knitters to cope with the Air Force requirements. The Air Department has approved of the board's proposal that Air Force sleeveless pullovers, gloves, and hussifs be made ,a service issue, instead of being a patriotic issue, and this has eased the position to some extent. Nevertheless, thousands of Air "Force comforts will still be required, and to .help meet the position before next winter tilie patriotic councils are being asked to transfer khaki knitters to Air Force knitting. The New Zealand Navy League War Council will also require extra assistance to have sufficient supplies to cope with the demand.

It is estimated that 45,3001b5. or over 20 tons of wool will be required to make knitted comforts for the Army, Navy and Air Force personnel next year, the total being- made up as follows: Navy wool 16,000 lbs., khaki 6,3001b5., and Air Force blue 23,0001b5. The estimated cost is £23,000, of which £7,000 will be recoverable. On account of the reiorganisation, it is proposed, that the whole of the cost of the knitting wool be debited against the patriotic Board, the Provincial Councils to be responsible for the knitting- as before. ,

| Stocks of khaki woollens held in the Middle East were sufficient for two issues of balaclavas, scarves, and mittens for each New Zealander there. Since then it has been announced that the New Zealanders are in Italy, and, it is therefore possible that at a later date further supplies will be required from New Zealand and some re-organisa-tion .of knitting plans may be necessary. In the meantime, assistance is required from khaki knitters , to make Air Force and Navy com' forts.

. As long ago as March, 1942, Britain was producing twice as many tanks .as in Augcst, 1941; three times as many as in February, 1941, and five times as many as in July and August, 1940.