SUPPLY OF GOODS

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1945, Page 6

SUPPLY OF GOODS

BY N.Z. GOVERNMENT. MINISTER’S REFLY TO OPPOSITION REQUESTS. WELLINGTON, September 2.0. Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in the House, stated that this year fifteen thousand pairs of used Army and Air Force nlankets had been distributed through factory and rationing controllers, mainly to Maoris through Maori tribal committees. At present 10,000 pairs of used Air Force blankets were being distributed. A further 8,500 pairs of new Air Force blankets are to be released. Some 27,000 pairs or u hite blankets had been made available to returned servicemen during the 12 months ended June, 1945. The production of civilian blankets has increased owing to a falling in military requirements. This year’s civilian production would exceed last year s figure of 135,000 pairs. Hon. F. Jones said there are properly constituted boards of officers, fully competent and authorised to decide whether Service stores should be repaired, reduced to spares, sold to the public, or otherwise disposed of. Hon. D. G. Sullivan stated standard specifications for children’s footwear from size seven upwards have already been issued. Further specifications for footwear below size seven have been completed, and will be published shortly. These specifications lay down minimum requirements. As soon as manufacturers adjust their processes tlmv will be able to use tile standard mark as certification of compliance with standard specifications, which would enable the public to distinguish footwear conforming to the specifications from that which did not. If the use of the standard mark voluntarily by manufacturers were not sufficient to protect the public interest, the Government would consider applying these standard specifications. Mr Sullivan stated New Zealand s tea allowance, fixed by the London Food Council, was sufficient to meet only the present New Zealand ration. New Zealand’s sugar allocation this year is just sufficient to permit the 'present ration scales, including those of manufacturers. Jam releases would be determined on the basis of available supplies, but on present allocation any increases in allowances for jam making could only be achieved by corresponding reductions in other rations. The 1946 position was not yet clear but advice from London indicated that a reduction in the allocation was possible. Pion. F. Jones said the Canteen Board had had no stocks of tinned peaches for some time. A limited supply of tinned pineapple had been released for sale in canteens in New Zealand. After this release furthei stocks would not be available. Sales bad been controlled by coupons. Hon. C. F.. Skinner said it was considered the loan of £lOO was reasonable for a serviceman to buy furniture. The loans were interest-free, and thus were worth a little more than if the men had to make their own financial arrangements. . Hon. R. Semple said the galvanised iron position was still critical. It had been the policy to reserve limited supplies principally for essential repair and maintenance work. Iron had been released in reasonable quantities to repair gale damage. Where extensive impairs were required, involving pcihaps a new roof, consideration had to‘be given in future to_ the use of alternative materials of New Zealand manufacture. Hon J. O’Brien stated ample waggons are now available to carry slow coal from the West Coast to Christchurch for merchants to mix with the limited stinply of fast coal available to them. The tonnage of fast coal required at Lyttelton for bunkering overseas ships had been high, and practically all available railway waggons had been concentrated on this work. It had not therefore been possible to supply the full transport needs of those mines producing slow coal for Christchurch orders. Lyttelton requirements, however, had now been met.