RATIONING OF CLOTHING

Southland Times, Issue 24766, 10 June 1942, Page 4

RATIONING OF CLOTHING

Special Provisions Announced (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 9. A number of special provisions under the Clothing Rationing Order were announced tonight by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply. “M” coupons included in the armed services leave ration cards and now being issued to members of the forces on leave from camps are not available for purchases of rationed goods. Members of the armed services not normally living in camp have already been issued with ordinary civilian ration books, and they will continue to use these under the same conditions as civilians.

Members of the armed services normally living in camp have not been issued with ration books. When on leave they will be issued with leave ration cards, but these, while available for rationed goods, will not be available for clothing. A special issue of 15 clothing coupons will, however, be issued to enable clothing not supplied as the part of the equipment to be purchased by officers, men and women normally living in camp. This special issue is so designed that parts of the sheet of 15 coupons may be sent to relations and friends who are making purchases on behalf of members of the armed services living in camp. An additional set of coupons will be supplied to officers of the Army and Air Force on attaining commissioned rank to enable them to purchase the extra clothing required. SPECIAL ISSUE Every six months a special issue of 15 coupons will be made to the next of kin of all members of all branches of the armed services -overseas, except prisoners of war (for whom a special provision covering parcels has already been announced), to permit the purchase and dispatch of additional items of clothing by relations and friends. On discharge after completing six months’ service or more, members of any branches of the armed services will be supplied with 26 coupons in addition to the full number of "M” coupons in the ration book. In the case of soldiers who have served for more than 12 months, it is proposed to make an additional issue to cover the purchase of a complete new w-ardrobe. Members of allied forces passing through the Dominion and requiring rationed goods for personal use must obtain a certificate to the effect that the goods are essential. Uniforms and protective clothing provided by an employer under an industrial award are to be supplied coupon free against the written order of employers. Uniforms will be granted coupon free to officers of State departments and local authorities, such as tramway boards and fire boards, non-commissioned ranks of the Salvation Army, members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and bandsmen. NURSES’ UNIFORMS

Coupon free uniforms will be granted on the production of a certificate to nurses where they are required to provide their own uniforms either for civilian duties or for service with the armed forces. White or black lisle stockings required by nurses are now excluded from the “X” scheme, and the coupon surrender value for these will be half a coupon a pair. Blankets, sheets, towels, uniforms and equipment for E.P.S. patrol and fire-watch-ing duties will be supplied coupon free where certified essential. The special provision for suits and costumes ordered before May 29 may be extended to include shoes and boots or corsets specially made to measure, provided the orders are executed by July 31. No special issue can be made for school uniforms. A special scheme whereby prospective married couples may obtain additional supplies of household linen is in the course of additions have been made to the list of coupon-free goods: Leggings of waterproof material, cinematograph screen fabric, women’s neckwear other than scarf or blousefront, flags, pennants, curtains (made up), loose covers for furniture (made up), cushion cases (made up) and remnants (if th c sizes are within certain limits).