MEN'S CLOTHING STILL IN SHORT SUPPLY

Chronicle (Levin), 6 September 1947, Page 4

MEN'S CLOTHING STILL IN SHORT SUPPLY

- " ■ llttle Bope of improvement After two years of peacetiftie manufacture,- the strUggle by te.tailers to secure adequate stocks of meh's. clothing is ' still waxihg strong, but with iittle evidence of material success. A sitrvey of the retail shops la Levin yesterday was far from Ohcouragingi A year ago a degree Of persistence and patiencp could Cvehtually result in an order ror a shit being . fulfilled, A. waiting period of between twelye to six months was ari accepted fact. Now, however, retailers state that orderS have attained such magnitude that no guarantee cah be given and even waiting lists are discouraged. "We afe entirely in the manufacturers' hands," said one retailer, "instead of us placing orders with manufacturers, they write and tell us when they will be able to make. a suit." During the war the factories were working all out on the manufacture of uniforms, and civilian orders kept mounting up. With the return to peace returned men's civilian requirements added to the growing pile of orders awaitihg fulfilment. Skilled labour, particularly for the manufacture of such items as shirts, was at a premium. With other more attractive positions offering, it was! difSicult to find girls willing to take on this work. Flannel shirts for boys and school and working socks were almosi unobtainable and the few that came in were quickly "snapped up," said one retailer. "I haven't had a boy's flannel shirt in the 'shop for over a year," he added. He was very surprised at the attifude some of his customers were taking over the situation, said another retailer. With the conditions pertaining in other parts of the world, New Zealand was in a very enviable position, he said. "Some people moan because they can't get white sports trousers. Surely it is no great hardship to play in ordinary grey slacks. For every pair of white sporting trousers turned out by _our factories a pair of grey slacks are lost to a person who perhaps is in desperate need. White trousers were also required by factory hands, many engaged in the task of manufacturing food for Britain, and 1 although every effort was made to I manufacture a few pairs for the 1 sportsmen's needs it was impossible to meet the demand entirely. Although there was undoubtedly a shortage in many items oX clothing, it should be remembered that everyone was at least adequately clothed and fed and that in itself , was a great deal to be thankful for.