CLOTHING SUPPLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 2 May 1947, Page 6

CLOTHING SUPPLY

YEAR’S SHORTAGE PROBLEMS ANALYSED MEN’S WEAR AFFECTED (PA) WELLINGTON. May 1. Tweeds, silks, rayons and woollen goods are in very short supply. The position is not expected to impiove for at least another 12 months. This was stated yesterday by a leading retailer. “The shortage of all goods which are imported from the United Kingdom is worse now than it was through the war years/’ he said. No relief can be seen. Scarcity of textile piece goods is affecting the manufactyre of all clothing and the shortage of clothing is now being felt seriously. , The manufacture of men s wear nas been affected most. While _ men s pyjamas, for some time unobtainable, are now on the market again in small quantities, there are few men s shirts. \ representative of an importing nrm said that while the shortage of mens sports wear was acute, and while there were licenses being issued for the imports of these goods, a very low price had been fixed for them bv the Price Tribunal, and most people are apt interested in bringing them into the country. , . . . With the reopening of factories on the Continent, some goods are being brought to New Zealand from European countries. Some French dress fabrics have been imported in small quantities, but the largest line from Europe has been carpets, and floor and furniture coverings from Belgium. Licenses can now be obtained for the importation of most goods, but in many cases the goods are not available overseas. There are many examples of licenses for import of goods expiring long before the goods arrive in the country.. . With the severe winter which England has just experienced, the output of her factories has probably been reduced badly, and it is expected that it will be three months before factories will be back to a normal schedule again. The coal shortage in England, combined with the power cuts has put back her production badly and New Zealand will be feeling the effects for the next 12 months, said one retailer.