CLOTHING THE TROOPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 9

CLOTHING THE TROOPS

RESPONSE OF THE INDUSTRY TRIBUTE FROM MINISTER CIVILIAN DEMANDS ENSURED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. 6. The demand for clothing for our military forces has thrown a very heavy responsibility on the clothing trade and the woollen nulls of the country, said the Mmistei of Supply. Mr D. G. Sullivan, in a statement today The responsibility was intensified by the fact that the demand came with remarkable rapidity and giew phenomenally. As the need for training of increased numbers of men became necessary the industry rallied to the task splendidly, and I am deeply grateful to all concerned—manufacturers and workers— for the exceHen manner in which they have met the intensified demand. , “ Due heed has been given to the requirements of the civilian population he continued. “ and I am hopeful that our mills and workrooms will be able to release greater quantities of con sumer goods for this purpose. Everything must naturally be subordinated to the requirements for the defence forces, and it is well to remember that the clothing and footwear in these forces is subjected to very heavy wear and tear. There will, therefore, _be continued heavy demands on the industry for replacements to the forces serving overseas, with planned otganisation of production. This demand, however, will cause no insurmountable trouble. This diversion of our factories’ output has had some effect on the value of consumers’ goods produced for civilian requirements, but up to the present it has had no substantial effeot upon the retail trade. “No effort is being spared, nor will it be spared,” said Mr, Sullivan, to maintain at as high a level as possible the stocks of goods for civilian consumption. Since the outbreak of war, and up to September 30, we have produced among other things H6X)OO pairs of blankets. 65,000 jerseys, 500,000 yards of tunic cloth, 263,000 yards of coating. 750.000 yards of flannel shirting. 535,000 pairs of socks, 52,750 blouses for battle dress, and 53,110 pairs of trousers for battle dress. These figures themselves speak eloquently of the effort called for. and I am pleased with the response the industry has given to the call. “The footwear industry, too. has been mobilised and the work of producing the necessary boots for the army has made exacting demands.” Mr Sullivan continued. “To ensure the maximum production, the orders have been spread in a similar manner to those for clothing. The industry has marshalled all its resources, and has maintained supplies excellently. In all the work turned out, the quality is of the highest and our troops overseas and in New Zealand are clothed and shod irt a manner very favourably comparable with anything produced elsewhere. To meet the demands of our defence forces, the footwear factories have produced 240,000 pairs of boots, and that is a really worthwhile achievement on which the industry can be complimented.”