HOSIERY SUPPLIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 85, 7 October 1941, Page 9

HOSIERY SUPPLIES

BRITISH OFFERS

PROMPT ACCEPTANCE URGED

"The public statement made by the Hori. D. G. Sullivan in Christchurch on Saturday, .that the Government was investigating the possibility of supplies of hosiery becoming available to the Dominion from overseas, is of great interest to all members of the trade," states the New Zealand Fed- j eration of Drapers, Clothiers, and Boot ] Retailers. Information in the hands of the federation would suggest that | hosiery of all types is still available j for export to the Dominion from the j United Kingdom, provided that the necessary action is taken quickly, j Numerous cables have been received to this effect, and only last week the federation was advised that London buyers could purchase for export to New Zealand, and with "a guarantee of export licences being obtainable, pure silk, artificial silk, lisle, cashmere, and silk and wool stockings. Again this morning an offer of 2500 dozen silk and artificial silk hose was received subject to immediate acceptance. It is essential that if these supplies which are available in England are to be obtained, licences must be issued immediately. The present shortage could have been avoided had the Government taken notice of the warning issued by the federation as far. back, as almost! eighteen months ago. The federation has constantly, pointed out that the curtailment of'licences must result in ah. acute.shortage,..which.has become apparent this winter. That'the present shortage is due to the restriction and prohibition of. licences is shown by the following return of imports:^—l93B, 2,169,408 pairs; 1939, 1,439,762 pairs; 1940, 197,700 pairs. During these years local production has increased, but not sufficient to I overcome the gap caused by the loss of j imports. 1 If the Government is genuine in its desire to relieve the present shortage, the federation urges that licences should be released immediately in order that these offers of hosiery supplies which have already been trade may be accepted and shipped.