INFANT WEAR

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24913, 28 June 1946, Page 2

INFANT WEAR

CERTAIN LINES DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN

STATEMENT BY HON. D. G. SULLIVAN “It is indeed most unfortunate that a ny young mother or expectant mother should find it necessary to make a weekly tour of the shops and find it practically impossible to obtain her requirements or clydella and viyella,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D, G. Sullivan) recently. Mr Sullivan was commenting ° n a letter sent to the editor of “The Pr ,T s <x.2 y , a correspondent signing herself Mother-to-Be,” asking if assistance and consideration could be given to mothers of young children regarding the supply of suitable materials necessary for infant wear. The letter reads: “May I ask the Minister of Supply if some consideration and assistance could be given to mothers of young children regarding the supply of suitable materials necessary for infant wear. One Is discouraged when making a weekly tour of the shops to see cards exhibited stating that neither clydella nor viyella are available; while fixtures are filled with luxury and non-essential lines. The same scarcity exists with the coarse type of white flannel, which, I understand, is manufactured in New Zealand. While we appreciate what has been done by way of family benefits, etc., I doubt if the Minister is fully aware of the hardship caused to mothers who, often not feeling well and encumbered with small children, make this regular unsuccessful tour of city shops in a vain endeavour to secure the essential materials, necessary to clothe the newcomer.” These cloths are not manufactured in New Zealand, and are a non-shrink type of woollen and cotton mixtures imported from the United Kingdom, said the Minister. His department and its overseas representatives had given importers every assistance to obtain sufficient quantities to meet requirements. Australia made limited quantities of a similar type of cloth, and although every endeavour had been made to obtain some supplies from that source none was available because of the existent need in that country. Limited supplies of clydella and viyella became available at various intervals during the war, but the quantity was not sufficient for normal requirements. A recent cable message has been dispatched to London, with the idea of arranging special consideration being given to increased exports of a quantity of viyella to New Zealand, continued Mr Sullivan, and it was hoped that expectant mothers and mothers of infant children would be ab / -e to obtain their requirements. With regard to white or cream flannel, this is made by the New Zealand mills, but the labour situation in those mills is such that they are finding it impossible to produce in a volume sufficient to meet New Zealand’s needs. In addition to this production, importation is effected to such an extent as Is possible under existing supply conditions,” concluded the Minister.