WOMEN’S HOSIERY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 October 1941, Page 4

WOMEN’S HOSIERY

IMPORTATION I ROM GREAT BRITAIN LICENSES GRANTED Christchurch, Oct. 21. Some relief from the acute shortage of silk stockings will be provided by certain relaxations of import restrictions announced to-day. According to advice received by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce from the Customs Department, licenses may be granted for imports from the United Kingdom (or) artificial silk for amounts equivalent to 100 per cent, of the value of the applicant’s imports from that source in 1938. Allocations of full-length stockings of wool are in • creased from 50 to 100 per cent, of the 1941 licenses. The chamber has also been advised that applications for amounts in excess of the above should be referred to the Wellington office with evidence of the availability of supplies. Mr V. C. Mathews, chairman of the importers’ section of the chamber, said to-day that the relaxations would re lieve the shortage to some extent. As for silk and artificial silk, however, there would be difficulties in obtaining supplies of hose from Great Britain because of the difficulties laced by British manufacturers in getting supplies of yarn. Supplies of cotton (lisle) hose also would be dependent on the availability of shipping space between England and America. With wool, he said, the story might be different and the desired supplies might be obtainable. Replying to an urgent question in the House of Representatives on 7th October, the Minister of Customs, Mr Nash, gave an assurance that the Gov ernment was doing all in its power to overcome the shortage of silk stock ings. He said that efforts were being made through the High Commissioner in London, Mr Jordan, to obtain supplies from the United Kingdom.—P.A.