RATIONING OF CLOTHING

Southland Times, Issue 24756, 29 May 1942, Page 4

RATIONING OF CLOTHING

COUPONS FROM TODAY HOUSEHOLD LINEN AND FOOTWEAR (P.A.) DUNEDIN, May 28. The Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, today announced the immediate rationing of clothing, footwear and household linen. Under the Clothing Rationing Order 1942 it will be incumbent upon every trader not to sell any articles covered by the order as from and in-

cluding May 29 excepting in exchange for the appropriate number of ration coupons. The Minister said the system was based on that operating in the United Kingdom and provided a unit value for each article rationed. Of 52 coupons representing 52 units which were being made available for the first 12 months of the rationing scheme,

26 coupons would be available for use during the first six months,

and M sheet of coupons in the

rationing book was being utilized for this purpose.

The Ministerial announcement was amplified at Wellington tonight by the Rationing Controller, Mr J. E. Thomas. He said purchasers would be at liberty to buy their requirements under the scheme from any retailer, and it was therefore not necessary for the public to register. Special arrangements were being made for supplies of garments or articles to troops overseas or prisoners of war through approved organizations. Persons wishing to send gifts of clothing or other articles covered by the scheme to troops overseas or prisoners of war could do so without surrendering coupons provided such parcels were posted direct by the retailer. The New Zealand Federation of Drapers and Allied Retailers consented to undertake this service. HOSIERY INCLUDED

Hosiery had been included in the schedule of rationed items, but until July 25 next the rationing of hosiery was covered by the Hosiery Rationing Order, which was now revoked, and rationing would be carried out in the same manner as had been operating since that order came into force. Hosiery not originally included in the Hosiery Rationing Order, namely, cashmere hose, gym hose and hose containing wool, would be covered by the present scheme. Second-hand clothes not on the list of coupon-free items are included in the scheme if the selling price of such clothes exceeds a figure computed by multiplying two shillings by the number of coupons allotted to the article in the schedule.

Although the schedule provided for the allocation of units to material used for making up household linen, the allocations in respect of made-up articles of household linen were under consideration and would be released almost immediately. Expectant mothers would be supplied with an additional block of 26 coupons on the production of a certificate.

Articles purchased under the lay-by system before the signing of the Clothing Rationing Order were exempted from the scheme, said Mr Thomas. Future goods purchased under the lay-by system would, of course, require the surrender of the appropriate number of coupons on the placing of an order. Special provision was being made in respect of supplies of clothing and footwear for certain types of uniformed workers and details would be released later. ALLOCATION OF COUPONS .The following schedule of the appropriate number of coupons for rationed articles of wearing apparel and footwear was also issued:— Men’s and Boys.— Overcoat or raincoat, 12; three-piece suit, 16; coat, blazer or jacket, 8; trousers, 5; shorts, 2; pullover, cardigan, jersey or sweater, 3; shirt, 2; undervest, singlet or underpants, 2; combination suits, 4; socks or stockings, 1; gloves, 2; mittens, 1; dress-ing-gown, 6; pyjamas, 4; boots and shoes, 3; sandals and sandshoes, 2; collars, one-quarter; handkerchiefs, one-quarter;boiler-suit, dungarees, bit and brace overall or overall longcoat, 2; scarves and mufflers, 1; hat and cap other than felt or straw, 1. Women’s and Girls’.—Overcoat or raincoat, 12; raincoat, sleeveless, 6; costume, two-piece, 11; fur coat, 15; fur cape, 8; fur necklet, tie or scarf, 4; jacket, blazer or short coat, 8; skirt, 3; jumper, cardigan or pullover, 3; dress, gown or frock, 4; overall and smock, 2; slacks, 5; shorts, 2; blouse, 2; scarf, apron or blousefront, 1; undervest, spencers or bedjacket, 2; bloomers, etc. 2; petticoat, etc., 3; corselette, 4; corset, 3; suspender belt of brassiere, 1; stockings, full-fashioned, 2; stockings, circular, 1; socks, 1; gloves, 2; dressing gown or housecoat, 6; pyjamas or nightgown, 4; gym frock, 3; shoes or boots, 3; sandals or sandshoes, 2;

INFANTS’ APPAREL Infants Under Five.—Overcoat or raincoat, 6; raincapes, sleeveless, 3; jacket or blazer, 3; frock, tunic, suit, rompers, bib, overalls or playsuit, 2; skirt, 1; jersey, jumper, cardigan or matinee coat, 1; shirt or blouse, 1; shorts, panties, pilchers, knickers or crawlers, 1; vest, petticoat, bodice, one-half; pyjamas, nightgown or sleeping suit, 2; dressing gown, 3; socks, bootees and infantees, one-half; boots, shoes, gaiters, sandals or sandshoes, 1; shawl, 2; gloves, glovettes ox- mittens, one-half; binder, pinafore, apron or handkerchief, one-quarter. Half a coupon an ounce will be required for knitting yarn, and the following coupons will be necessary for fabric cloth and articles made therefrom not otherwise provided for. (The width of the cloth, in inches is mentioned first with the coupon required per yard in brackets): — Three and not ovex- 20 (one-half); 20/31 (three-quarters); 31/40 (1); 40/50 (LI); 50/60 (14); 60/69 (13); 69/79 (2); over 79 (2j). Another schedule also outlines the principal coupon-free articles. These include such items as academic robes, adhesive anti-scatter fabric, ankle supports, aprons for industrial purposes made of unrationed material, braces, garters, suspenders, canvas, carpeting, matting and other floor cloths, cheesecloth, cloth including ribbon and elastic not over three inches in width, crochet yarns, curtain net, ecclesiastical vestments, certain furnishing fabrics, ticking, rubber garments for industrial purposes, rubber gloves, agricultural or horticultural gloves, etc., haberdashery, felt hats or straw hats and boys’ school caps, infants’ napkins, boot and shoe laces, lint, maternity belts, mending yam made up in quantities not exceeding a quax-ter of an ounce in weight, rug canvas, rug wool not suitable for hand knitting, slippers unsuitable for outdoor - use and surgical bandages.