GERMAN TOY INDUSTRY.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 August 1918, Page 3

GERMAN TOY INDUSTRY.

S WOOL. FOE METAL. The German toy industry is showing the effects of over three years of war, says the B'oard of Trade Journal, in quoting the Berliner TagebLatt. Simplicity is the rule in toy shops at present. Wood, which was formerly used only for the cheaper sorts of toys, is now the chief material employed. The manufacture of new dolls is becoming impossible through lack of flour (used, with cement, in} making the bodies). Wax, which is employed for the heads of the better class dolls, is almost unobtainable; the same is true of the stuffs and lace used for making dolls’ shoes, hats, dresses, stockings, etc. These are only obtainable at prices four times higher than before the Avar, consequently the prices of toys are higher. The simple, cheap toys that formerly could be bought in the stores or from street vendors for 10 pfennigs How cost 20 pfennigs or more. Jumping jacks of paper and cheap picture books can no longer be had except Avhere old supplies are still in stock. Metal toys are few in number. The pretty toy trains, magic lanterns : etc., AAffich used to be so common have been turned out only by those manufacturers who were also engaged in munition work and so commanded supplies of the necessary materials. Toys Avhich were intended for expert, but Avhich could not be shipped owing to the Avar, make a welcome addition to the supply for home consumption large quantities of the better class of toys being thus put at the services of the homo dealer. Groat difficulties stand in the Avay of conveyance of all these lines of toys from the maker to the large toAvns, and only after long delay do toys reach the retailer.