PLUNKET SOCIETY CONCERNED OVER SHORTAGE OF CHILDREN’S SHOES

Evening Star, Issue 26138, 27 June 1947, Page 7

PLUNKET SOCIETY CONCERNED OVER SHORTAGE OF CHILDREN’S SHOES

So scarce were shoes for children and material for babies’ layettes that the shortage amounted to a condition of emergency througout the Dominion, the Minister of Supply, Mr Nordmeyer, was informed by a deputation from the PUmket Society' that waited on him during his recent visit to Dunedin. Particular stress was directed to the possible permanent damage to children’s feet that could be caused- by the continued use of ill-fitting shoes, or shoes that had become too small for wear. Plunket nurses- were in such close touch with one another, that the society was in a position to estimate the magnitude of the problem more accurately probably than any other section of the community. An estimate prepared from all sources of information available to the society made it appear that if local production and imports were maintained at the same level as last year, the supply of shoes for children up to five years of age would be less than half of their minimum requirements for this year. It was pointed odt that, in addition to pressing for increased production of these articles, the Plunket Society had encouraged mothers to make the best use ot what was available. Sandals had been recommended for summer wear for children with normal feet as it was thought that if sandals were worn extensively during the summer, shops would be able to build up their shoe stocks for the winter months. Mothers had also been advised that when they -were fortunate enough to ob’tain good shoes of a' particular size they should refraih from buying a second pair of an identical size. Factors which it was considered were contributing to the shortages were diseusssed with the Minister. The deputation expressed the hope that he >vould be able to find a solution to a problem which had engaged the attention of the society and its branches throughout New Zealand during the war and increasingly over the past two yeai-s. The rise in the birth rate had been so sharp'that it was felt that importations and manufacture on the basis of pre-war years would lag far behind requirements. j