WAR NEEDS FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 134, 7 June 1940, Page 8

WAR NEEDS FIRST

NEW ORDER IN BRITAIN

DIVERSION OF LABOUR

NON-ESSENTIALS CUT

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received June 7, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 6.

The Board of Trade has made an order restricting supplies to retailers by manufacturers and wholesalers of a wide range of goods of common use but non-essentials. The restriction will operate over the next six months and will be on the basis of one-third of the value supplied in the corresponding period in 1939.

The main purpose is to liberate labour, material, and productive capacity for essential war purposes and exports.

No foodstuffs are affected by the order but many household goods, sports and fancy goods, and many kinds of wearing apparel are among the products affected.

The restriction imposed in April and lasting until September which reduces supplies of cotton piece goods and made-up goods to the home market by one-quarter will be amended after September to reduce supplies for the home market by three-quarters.

Another order prohibits, except under licence, the supply of certain "types of machinery otherwise than for Government Departments or export.

The labour released by the operation of this order will be of the type urgently needed for munitions production, while there will also result an important economy in steel and other metals.

Finally, the system of import restriction is to be made comprehensive. Under the new order all goods except certain live animals will be brought within the import licensing system.