COMPULSORY STANDARD CLOTHING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 307, 23 September 1919, Page 5

COMPULSORY STANDARD CLOTHING

ACTION. OF BRITISH GOVERNMENT. Twqnty-flve million yards of cloth at controlled prices are to be provided for standard clothing within twelve months, writes a, "Daily Chronicle" representativeThe Wool Council has adopted a detailed report submitted by a special committee on prices and eupplies. This committee, presided over by Sir. Charles Sykes, lecommonded a scheme, to be worked under compulsory powers with the support of the Government, which shall, buy all , materials. The 25,000,000 yards of cloth will be for men's, youths', ami boys' wear. The scheme is thus limited for the present,'but with this pfnn as an example a proportionate quantity' of women's wear, in addition to a certain amount' of flannel, blankets, and hosiery, can be , bought rater. Sir Charles Sykes told the council , that the main problem was that of distribution, and that his committee intended at once to consult the different sections of the retail trades with a view to formulating a scheme- for efficient and economical distribution of standard goods. House of Commons sanction will be necessary, and , any policy adopted for wool textile,? must have regard to the general question of prices, to be investigated by a select, committee. . 25,000,000 Yards. The special committee's report is in the following terms:— 1. Any scheme adopted must be worked under compulsory powers, and the Government must support it by buying aH materials. 2. The scheme should be started for a minimum period of one year, and then be Tecoiiisidered. The quantity of cloth to be produced should be about 25,000,000 ya.vds for (male wear. ' 3. Suitable bunches of patterns should 1m agreed. The patterns should consist of all wooileu and worsted cloths suitable for men' 6, youths', and boys' wear. Shoddy .and cotton should be included only on the responsibility of the manu- ; f.icturer, who will be required to produce i cloth up to standard. All suitable manu- ' facttired surplus materials now held by j the Government should bo used in 'this ; scheme. -, I 4. It is the opinion of the committee ' that the' Government must hold a large | reserve of khaki material, which cannot ' possibly "be made up for several years ahead. Proper details of these reserves should be furnished, and having regard ; to the shortage for civilian purposes and the serious position of prices, largo reserves for Government purposes are unwarranted. 'From these reserves, which have not been declared surplus, there should be available- at once quantities of cloth that will relieve the present difficult position for civilian woollen cloth. I 5. The Government should undertake Jo ! issue tho nesesa'ary wool or tops at coa- ■ trolled prices. Tops and yarns to be pro-, J dticed on conversion costs. . j G. Contracts for manufacture of cloth i to be distributed, on conversion 'cost, r ov an allocation of contracts committee. "7. Cloth to be bought from tho Government by the clothiers through a (special committee and made up on conversion cost. Clothing and all other standard goods In l;wir si special liiM. 8. Dofmito and prompt delivery dates to bo determined. Manufacturers to adhnr« strictly to tho .appointed dates. 9. Government to make arrangements for inspection of all supplies. '■ SuitnHo provision for arbitration in caso of disputes. 10. The committees is convinced thnt tlio (iu?9tion of distribution is a very difficult one, and that the coat, varies considerably in different sections of the trade and in different pa.rts of the country. On the wholo the regular channeTe of trade riiould be tho medium-of distribution, but the committee does not give a final opinion until representatives of the rotj[jl i trades have been consulted. I 11. A comprehensive scheme, should be provided on similar lines for women's wear, flannel , , blankets, and hosiery. j