SUPPLY OF MEN'S CLOTHING

Chronicle (Levin), 3 September 1947, Page 7

SUPPLY OF MEN'S CLOTHING

Press Association)

SURYEY DISCLOSES PARLOUS POSITION

(Per

WELLINGTON Sept. 2. ' A stock survey carried out by the Nes,w Zealand Retailers' Federation has disclosed a de'plorable state in respect of men's clothmg 111 the retaii trade o± New Zealaiid. The survey, which covered 480 firms throughout New Zea land, disclosed their stock position- as being entirely inadequate for • the demands of the purchasing public. ' 'Replacements, on the stock position disclosed, are practicaily impossible, and the time cannot be far distant when New Zealanders will tind their clotliing position bordering on the desperate," states The Draper. The information gained from the survey has been sunuiiarised to show the average number of garments available to each firm. A few items taken at random show the parlous position into which the production of cjothing, or the availability of - clothing has been allowed to develop. "•For instance, the average number of toddlers' overcoats in New Zealand on that date was 5.72 per firin. "Boys' tiveed overcoats were in a worse position, there being only 4.74 between each firm. "The position over youths' grey and navy trousers was even worse, there not being even one pair for each firm coneerned in the survey. In fact there was not even half a pair, tlie position being .34 and .38 respectivelv. "Boys' navy and grey flannel sliorts were a little better, the jiercentage being 2.6 and 2.87 respeetively. "Men were berter off for overcoats than youths, there being 13.5 to each firm, or in other words a selection of 131 "overcoats in each store to meet the demand. • "The ever-popular sports coat for which there is an unprecedented demand today, shcwed the availability at 1S.77. Even if oue could get a coat, it would be practicaily impossible to get a pair of trousers to go with it, there being only' 1.46 pairs to each store. "While there are a few working sliirts about, there being 37.2 to ehch store, neglige shirts are practicaily nonexistent, there being only 1.20. "The position over working clotlies is a little better but far from adequate. The survey showed that there were 27.72 pairs of men's cotton working trousers, 24.44 pairs of khaki drill overalls. Other working clothes such as blue drill over-alls and blue and khaki combination outiits were well down 011 the list. "Underelothing showed a slightlv better position, but far below the needs of the average man. "An interesting comparison of the position which existed during the years prior to the war and the position now has been disclosed by a branch of a national mercery firm. In 1922 this branch had a stock of 606 men's tweed overcoats; in 1928 the total had dropped to 366. This average was maintained throughout the years prior to the war but in 1945 the stock position was 8, and i'n 1947, 21. "Raincoats were in a similar position, the stock in 1928 being 124, and tn 1915 6, and in 1947 9. There was an excellent selection of sac suits in 1922, there being 580 to choose from This figure dropped from 372 in 1928 to 32 in 1945 and 2 in 1917. Sports trousers ran close to the 2000 mark iu the years 1922-23-2-4. In fact the 1934 figure disclosed a ptock of 1826, but in 1945 there were only 23, . and in 1947 28. "The same position . is disclosed ii; such items as sports coats, b'oys knickers, boys' shorts, boys' tweed overcoats and laincoats. Some of thes! were well over the 1000 mark in 1922. and also in 1934, lnit in August, 1917. there were only 7 pairs of bovs' sliorta 03 boys ' tweed overc-oats, and 30 boys raincoats."