WOMEN’S HOSIERY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 7

WOMEN’S HOSIERY

BRITISH SUPPLIES OFFER OF SHIPMENT STATE VIEW AWAITED (Per Pres 3 Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Inquiries made by a leading New Zealand drapery house of London buyers as to supplies of hosiery for the New Zealand market brought the following reply: “All types available for shipment to New Zealand in September.” The term, “all types,” it is stated means lisles, cashmere, artificial silk and silk hose. The question now being asked in the trade is what facilities will be awarded by the Government authorities for importing these goods. The trade fully recognises that local manufacturers are doing their utmost lo meet- the demand and are not to be held responsible for the shortage which appears to be clue solely to the curtailment of imports. The following figures are given: 1935, hose imports. 2,109,403 pairs; local output, 2,000,000 pairs. 1939: Imports, 1,439,762 pairs; local output, 2,500.000 pairs. 1940: imports, 197,700 pairs; local output, 3,000,000 pairs! These goods are mainly of artificial silk. It has been estimated that the local trade requires annually some 4,250,000 pairs and, in addition, it has been found necessary to have some 2,000,000 pairs in reserve. Now that definite information has been received that Britain can supply hose and ship them next month, the trade is asking: “What about it?”