GRAVE ALARM FELT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22588, 17 March 1948, Page 6

GRAVE ALARM FELT

CUTS IN IMPORTS SHORTAGES FEARED EVERY-DAY COMMODITIES (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, March 16. The grave alarm felt by the retail trade throughout New Zealand was stated in a special report presented to the annual conference of the New Zealand Retailers’ Federation at New Plymouth to be caused almost entirely by the reduction in the 1948 basic import licenses and the Government's present attitude in granting very few licenses to importers on the evidence of availability. “There is no indication that there will be any marked improvement in the near future in the deliveries of many locally manufactured goods,” the report stated. “In many cases the supply position is likely to deteriorate until it becomes as difficult as at any time since 1940."

Some of the items which the report said were likely to be in critical supply if the Government adhered to its present policy include worsted suitings and linings for men's suits, men's halfhose and work socks, men's knitted outer wear, pullovers and cardigans and underwear, men and boys’ pyjamas and pyjama material, boys’ school stockings and boys' knitted jerseys and pullovers, sheets and sheeting, terry towels, tea towels, diaper cloth, flan neletle. winceyette and cream baby flannel, blind Holland, linoleum and carpets, gloves of all kinds, ribbons and laces, all crockery, including plain every-dav cups, saucers and plates, infants' wear of all types, men, women and children's handkerchiefs and handkerchief material.