GERMAN TEXTILES FOR NEW ZEALAND

Chronicle (Levin), 24 February 1947, Page 3

GERMAN TEXTILES FOR NEW ZEALAND

W JSLLIN GTON, Fob. 22. New Zealand is cxpected to get something in the neighbourhood of £1,000,000 worth of lieavy cotton materials from Germany within tlie next year as parl of her sharc of war reparations. Like tlie ship which lias already been obtained and the machiue tools now being applied for, these textiles are to be taken from Germany undcr the terms of the reparations agreements as a way of repaying us part of the cost of our sliare in defeating Germany. Textiles and other goods are likely to come here later from Japan. RepaTation^ arrangements thcre, however, are less advanced than is tlie ease with Germany. It is hoped tliat New Zealand will be able to get from Japan cotton and silk materials better suited for everyday wear as women 's f rocks and men.'s shirts. Tlie materials coming from Germany — deliveries are expected to start at the end of the year — will consist of coarse and heavy weaves for working clothes and similar-purposes. With continued shortage of all these matel'ials from normal sources such as Britain and America still in prospect, the supplies from cnemy countries may help to ease the difliculti.es of the clothing industry here and keep open some factories which might otherwise liave had to elose down at least part of tlieir operations. The Government has already told the trade about these plans and is expected to explain theni to the public shortly. Tlie German materials will be sold by the Government to the trade. Norma! trade with the former enemy ' countries may eventually provide further sources of German and Japanesa textiles for New Zealand as long as factories in Britain and else where are unable to meet the exporb demand. The •resumption of ord'inary buying, however, does not yet appear to bf> in sight.