CORONATION FLAGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 264, 6 October 1936, Page 7

CORONATION FLAGS.

SUPPLIES FROM JAPAN. CONCERN AT HOME. LONDON, Oct. 5. The Daily Telegraph’s Manchester correspondent says that manufactur-j ers arc concerned owing to substantial, Empire orders for Coronation flags being placed with Japanese instead of British makers.

A representative of one firm said, that Japanese Union Jacks were selling in South Africa below the English'; cost of production. The idea of British, children celebrating the Coronation, waving Japanese flags was distasteful. Manchester has already shipped its first consignments of Coronation flags to the Dominions.

FOREIGN SUPPLIES.

MADE IN GERMANY FROM BRITISH WOOL.

SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF MATERIAL.

The manufacture of Coronation flags and souvenirs in England is being seriously hindered by two factors, shortage of labour and shortage of wool, says the London Morning Post. The unprecedented demand lor flags has taken many British manufacturers by surprise, and they arc now finding that the stocks of wool of the type from which hunting is made are running short. “Never during the. last 20 years has there been such a shortage of wool of the quality required,” a Bradford wool manufacturer informed a (Morning Post representative early in September. “This wool is grown in New Zealand, South America, and, in small quantities, in Ireland, hut tho finest is the English wool from longhaired sheep bred chiefly in Lincolnshire. This type of wool is very suitable for flags', as it is coarse and hardwearing. “All stocks havo been practically exhausted and it is impossible to obtain more,” he said. "The last New Zealand and South American clips were bought mainly by Germany and the United States, who anticipated our Coronation requirements beforo we did. But there is nothing that can be done about it now.” This fact was confirmed by a largo manufacturer of flags in London. BRADFORD WOOL. “Only this morning,” be stated. “I was visited by a man who was selling flags of Bradford wool which had been made in Germany. A very large number of such flags made from our wool are being re-exported to us in this manner. These, however, are not such a menace to us as the Japanese products, since they sell at much the same price as our own.” Another manufacturer stated that the price of bunting had been raised considerably lately and was likely to rise still higher. “We bought our stocks of raw material verv early,” he stated, “and we shall be able to cope with any demand made upon ns. Already the orders we have received have greatly exceeded our most hopeful expectations. One great hindrance, however, is a general shortage of labour, aa flag-making is a comparatively specialised business.” It is estimated that nearly two million Union Jacks and other flags, ranging from tho smallest toy to tho largest” standard, will be manufactured for the Coronation. This figure takes no count of the thousands that are being exported to the Dominions and Colonies.^ Shortage of labour is also being experienced by manufacturers of small souvenirs which will be on sale at the Coronation. In Birmingham, Manchester, and many other towns there is a demand for ' skilled men and women workers.

CORONATION SEATS

SHOCK FOR PROFITEERS

-Vrording to the London Daily Herald, the Office of Works is preparing a shock for Coronation profiteers by providing between 40,000 and 60,000 seats, many of which will he in the best positions, at a maximum cost of about £2 2s, but mostly cheaper.

“Exploitation of the historic occasion is resented in the highest official quarters,” says tlvo Daily Herald; “and therefore more seats than usual will be provided by the Government. An official said that he had received an offer of £IOO for two seats from a wealthy Canadian. People offering enormous prices will only force up the market and keep thousands away. There will be a general reduction long before the Coronation if. people refuse to pay fantastic charges.”