Retailers Resent Mr Nash's Reference to Nylons

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1949, Page 2

Retailers Resent Mr Nash's Reference to Nylons

aWELLTNGTON, Nov. 3.. ■ Shortages of carpets, linoleum, crockery, curtain nets and fully fashioned hosiery of silk, nylon, lisle and wool can be expected to continue because of import restrictions under the 1950 licensing schedule. This statement was made by the New Zealand Retailers' Federation today after Ihe Federation' s council had completed a review of the effects of the new schedule. x . The Federation said it saw no possibiiity oi' the supply of. these items nuproving unless urgent consideration was given to them. An increase in basic licenccs for carpets and crockery was essential since unddr present eonditions there was no possibility of traders being able to meet the publiC'S requirements for repiacements and ordinary usage. These items were not adequateiy provided for under the 1949 schedule, and representations were made eontantly bv the Federation on behalf of traders. and their customers. Those representations were not heeded and the outlook for 1950 under the new schedule was no better. The Federation was also concerned at a press report of statements by Mr. Nash in which he referred to panic buying and hoarding by' the public of nylon hosiery*. Mr. Nash had obviously been misinformed, and the Federation strongly resented the inferenee that retailers were not playing fair to the public and were not giving as wide a distribution as possible. The tact remained, said the Federation, that the licenees had been hopelessly inadequate and the Minister must know that his departmental officers were at the momeut investigating the fully fashioned hosiery situation with a view to giving some relief. Concern was expressed- also " at the late issue of the 1950 schedule which meant that many importers were unable to confirm their orders before devaluation. The delivery times now quoted from the United Kingdom by manufacturers had been greatly extended ana the late issue of the schedule would materially affect the supply of a large number of commodities.