RATIONING OF STOCKINGS

Chronicle (Levin), 11 October 1946, Page 5

RATIONING OF STOCKINGS

-Press Association

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. Hopes have been raiscd among Ncw Zealand women by the publii-at ion in some quarters of a six montlis' old oiiieial repnrt which expressed the opinion that there would be more liberal supplies of hosiery, and Lhai the rationing of it lnight cease, suid the Rationing Controlier, Mr. A. .J. .CpftU.d-bre, .in an. ;i nte r v i e\v. ( oday: . I'nforuiha.tely "fh'ete .were no . immediat e prospects of greater imporlations, f»fhe removal of rationing. Mr. Costelloe said that the remarks, atlrilnited to him by the publieation in a Bouthland uewspaper of statemenls that ration ing might be disconLirmed at an early date, had been taken from the. annual rejiort of the Departnient of Industries and Commerce and were only a brief and general eommentary on whai had been regarded as' reasonable expectations at the end of last ATareh. The statements had 110 relation to the realities of the present moment because ihe expectations had not been fulfilled. "The present position, " said Mr. Costelloe, "is tha-t there is no immediate prospect of ending the hosiery rationing. .Some time ago there were signs of greater importations, but these have not come forward as expeeted. ' ' Licences had been issued for importations but the trouble had been to get supplies, he addod. It was possible that greater quantilies would be available within the next six moiiths, but that was only a hope, and it reinained to be seen whether it could be realised. It was elear that rationing nuist continue until supplies were freely available, in order to ensure a fair and equitable distribution to tlie public. Mr Costelloe added that all rationing was constantly under review and it was not a question of rationing for the sake of the ration. Tn the case of tea, for ( example, there was no immediate prospect of casing the situation.