SILK STOCKINGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1940, Page 4

SILK STOCKINGS

DEMAND IN MASTERTON FOLLOWING MINISTER'S STATEMENT. STOCKS GREATLY DEPLETED. An appeal made to women by the Minister for Customs, Mr Nash, to buy fewer silk stockings, accompanied, by a suggestion that they should buy fine woollen ones has had disturbing repercussions in Masterton. The hosiery counters of local shops have experienced the busiest days on record following the Minister’s statement. The women of Masterton, apparently more concerned with the implications of Mr Nash’s statement than with its intention made a rush to buy silk stockings “It was an extremely ill-advised and untimely statement,” commented a prominent local business man. In supporting his remarks other business men pointed out that a similar statement issued by the Minister in connection with tea stocks had created a most unsatisfactory and undesirable position. Shopkeepers had enough pairs of silk stockings for the normal demand for many months to come, but the sudden rush had resulted in most stocks being depleted. “Although we have'xi large stock we are rationing stockings to two pairs per customer,” said the principal of a local firm this morning. He pointed out that requests for ten and six pairs had been received and orders had come from as far afield as Wellington. He emphasised the difficulty in which the legitimate shopper who wished to buy silk stockings for gifts was placed. Referring to Mr Nash's proposal that women should wear fine woollen hosiery, it was observed that the idea

would be excellent if the fine woollen stockings were procurable. . “They are dear, uncomfortable to wear and in dreadful shades of white, black and a muddy brown,” commented a local shopper on New'Zealand woollen products. “It was a rather stupid statement, but good for business. We hold large stocks,” said a chain store manager. Lisle hose was in short supply and its importation had been stopped, he added. The product was wholly British and could be sold at one-third the price of silk stockings. The hose was particularly popular with the workers of the Dominion. Record sales are reported by hosiery counters in local establishments and the demand shows little sign of easing. Reference was made by one retailer to an American idea of painting the legs with a cream which gives the effect of stockings. Supplies of the cream are being awaited.