SUPPLIES OF CLOTHING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23216, 1 June 1945, Page 4

SUPPLIES OF CLOTHING

Position Brighter Big Production Rise WELLINGTON, May 31. With production in some critical lines considerably increased, and others well up on earlier totals, latest figures for the Dominion’s total garment production disclose a substantial and continuing improvement on the position of a year ago, says a statement Issued by the National Garment Control Council, which is representative of Government, garment manufacturing and retail interests. This improvement was achieved in the face of heavy war contract commitments. the Council states, and Is substantiated In the supply position of lines formerly drastically short and in the appearance of the people.

“Up until last December production figures for six months, compared with those of the preceding six months, showed an increase of 1,500,000 civilian garments spread over a variety of lines. This upward trend was carried over into this year when in the first three months nearly 350,000 more garments were manufactured than in the same period of 1944,” the statement proceeds. “Faced with a serious shortage of women’s underwear at the beginning of last year, the industry has taken effective steps to overtake the position. Women’s underwear actually made last year comprised 600,000 petticoats, 1,330,000 vests and almost a million and a half bloomers and pantees. Output in these items either equalled or exceeded quantities required to meet the ration coupon Issues. “Successful measures have also been taken to step-up production of men’s sports coats and trousers. During the final six months of last year, production in these items was almost double the total made in the first six months, and jn the first quarter of 1945 production totalled 35,000 sports coats and 75,000 pairs of sports trousers, in addition to 59,000 pairs of working trousers. Lines in Short Supply “The Council makes no attempt to minimise the fact that in certain categories of clothing, shortages continue to exist,” comments the statement. “There are for example, big shortages of men’s three-piece suits, shirts and some items of children’s clothing. To rectify these shortages before they reach the acute or critical stage, the garment manufacturing industry, with the backing of the Factory and Manpower Controllers, is continuing to afford first priority production to these items. The benefit of this arrangement is already apparent, as witnessed in the manufacture of 27,350 suits during the first quarter of this year. Strenuous efforts are being made to increase materially the supply of men’s and children’s clothing even to the extent of diverting manpower where practicable. Inspections are being carried out by representatives of the Factory Controller to make certain that the manpower within the industry is being used to the best advantage. “The New Zealand clothing manufacturing industry has fulfilled heavy requirements of the armed services in all theatres of the war, and although these contracts now tend to taper down, a high proportion of machines and manpower is still devoted to military clothing manufacture. In spite of this military demand which attained huge proportions during the peak wai’ period, the organisation set up to regulate wartime garment production has performed a useful and onerous task in directing productive attention to lines most urgently needed, and in keeping New Zealanders as well-clothed as possible under war conditions. “It has been encouraging to have New Zealand’s wartime clothing position commented upon favourably by overseas observers such as the leader of the United Kingdom Parliamentary Delegatiom Lieut.-Colonel E. R. T. Wickham, last year, and more recently by Sir Percy Ashley, leader of the British Rayon Delegation," the statement observes. “In wartime no industry can do more than good organisation, efficient workmanship, materials and manpower can provide. The clothing industry is an example of tills fact, and the Council feels safe in saying' that the present upward trend in garment supply will continue unless some unexpected circumstance intervenes arising from the war situation and against which the industry cannot provide.”