New Zealand Lags In Fashions

Chronicle (Levin), 22 February 1949, Page 7

New Zealand Lags In Fashions

Press Association) I^TAT A T> I T OI

(Per

^ ^ f The New Zealand Retailers' Federation will undertake a publicity cauipaign to show the women of New Zealand the serious repercussions arising from the preseut 1949 iinport- licensipg schedule. This was decided at a meeting of the federation today. when it was stated that the importation of , nylon hose was prohibited. While fuliy recognising the high standard of output of New Zealand factories, having due regard to available supplies and the present xioliey of the price control division in ftxing eut, make and trim costs, the confercnce considered that the Dominion was lagging behind in fashion trends. "We are living uuder austerity couditions in many respects at a time when our export trade is at a record levoi, " said a delegate, "and even if we cannot have all that the fashion-c.ouscious desire, surelv we can liave at least token imports over a wider range oi goods. " ' A deeision to ask for a partial relax-' ation of price control was also reae'hed. Mr. J. A. Stenberg (Auckland), ih moviiig the remit, said that his association favoured the relaxatiOn 0f pricc' control on a selected range. of conimodities for an experimental period, of six. months. "We feel that the suppiy position of many lines will enable competi;tion adequately .to control pric.es, " said Mr. Stenberg, "and the . Gqvernment has already admitted thia-.fact by recently abandoning price "coutrol on a 3ubstantial range of fruit"'- and vegetables." : * '• . An amendmcnt, that. the removal ot price control from a range. .of lines should be permanent anil'""nofc.'- . experimental, was withdrawn affer. several delegates had eiupliasised that-, control had now been in operatiou for nearly ten years and any relaxation needed to gradual. It was left to cach trade group to select lines which were in ade- : quate suppiy, the lines . to be collated and forwarded to the Ministcr of Industries and Coiuiiiercc with a request tliat they be freed from price eontroi for a period of six months wljen the position could be reviewed by all- interested parties.