STOCKING POSITION

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1942, Page 2

STOCKING POSITION

WHAT RETAIL TRADE SAYS

Two popular impressions about stockings were investigated on Saturday. One is that there are no fullyfashioned silk stockings to be had in Wellington, and the other that shopgirls are not telling the whole truth when they say they have no silk stockings to sell. Retailers interviewed said that these opinions are without foundation (says “The Dominion”). Shops have silk stockings for sale. They come in rather more than an infinitesimal trickle, but the-”’ are Quickly all taken. Because of this a member of the staff of one store pointed out, some women who come along too late set about accusing the girls' behind the counter of npt telling the truth. “Some of the women are most abusive and inconsiderate,” he said. “They had two of our girls in tears yesterday, telling them they were lying when they said there were no stockings. It’s not the girls’ fault we haven’t any stockings. Why don’t these persons come and see the management if they’ve any complaints to make?” Accounts which have been pubd telling that most women would take nothing but fully fashioned pure silk stockings for their XI coupon are said to be exaggerated. There is

clearly a tendency to hold on to the XI coupon as long as possible in the hope of getting such a pair, but circular woven stockings, rayons and lisles have quite a regular market. What did surprise one large store was the number of XI coupons which came to light following the announcement that X 7 would be available after July 25. This store had calculated that most of the XI coupons were used by the time of the announcement, but, they say, they have been receiving them plentifully ever since.

None of the members of the trade who were questioned had heard or suspected anything of a black market or coupon racket in stockings, nor could they see how it could be instituted. “But rationing is very young yet,” said one. Attempts have been made by women to negotiate at drapery stores the coupons with which soldiers are issued when they come on leave.. They have been disappointed, and in some cases indignant, when they are told there is nothing doing.

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