Taihape Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 July 1947, Page 2

Taihape Notes

SUPPLY OF MEN’S WEAR

LITTLE EASING OF THE SITUATION

(0.C.) Taihape. July 23 Although increased import licences have relieved current shortages in some lines, the general supply of men’s clothing is little if any better it was a year ago. Men's outfitters interviewed in Taihape today were of the opinion that labour shortages in Dominion industries and financial difficulties connected with overseas producers would prevent men from purchasing adequate clothing lor some time to come. Cotton garbardine raincoats, unobtainable last winter, are now more plentiful, according to a retailer. The Government issued licences covering these lines and they are now coming to hand from overseas in fair quantities. One of the most serious shortages, particularly for office workers, is said to be the dearth of material tor grey sports trousers, which have become increasingly popular. The limited quantities in stock sizes coming forward are insufficient to meet the demand, and although small firms will undertake the manufacture of made-to-measure sports trousers, material cannot be supplied by wholesale houses. The supply of sports coats is fair, but only in average materials. All boys’ wear is hard to obtain. Only print shirts are available and it is stated that no woven materials are coming on the market. The desire of manufacturers to obtain the maximum quantity of material within the limitations ot import licences is suggested as a possible cause of the absence of the more expensive woven shirting materials, or perhaps the majority of the English output is being sent to America to bolster up the United Kingdom’s dwindling dollar exchange.