WAR RESTRICTIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1942, Page 4

WAR RESTRICTIONS

INTENSIFIED IN BRITAIN

NON-ESSENTIAL GOODS CUT OUT.

UTILITY HOMES & FURNITURE

LONDON, July 8. New restrictions which have just been placed on the production of nonessential goods mean that after August 1 not only industry but shops and homes in Britain will be very nearly on a total war basis. The manufacture of many articles is to be completely prohibited after the end of this month. Pianos, trunks, most toys, games, certain kinds of jewellery, cutlery and glassware are among the large number of things that no longer will be produced. Strict control is to be imposed on the manufacture and sale of a great many more articles, including furniture and other household goods which henceforth will be produced along utility lines at specified prices. The purpose of these new restrictions is to insure maximum efficiency ot the war effort both in men and materials. It is estimated that some 30,000 workers will be released from luxury and non-essential industries and become available for war factories. In addition, great quantities of materials and transport are expected to be diverted to war purposes. While the order takes effect on August 1,.1'0r some of the smallest factories where the hardship would be too great the ban won’t apply until October 1. The keynote of the new policy, as announced on July 3 by Mr Hugh Dalton, President of the Board of Trade, is to be “utility.” After the earlier introduction of utility clothes, Britain now is to have utility homes. -Not only furniture but dishes, cups, glassware, cutlery, towels, sheets, and many other household goods are to be designed and produced in great quantities along utility lines. Simplification and standardisation is to be the rule. In the case of furniture, a special committee will design simplified chairs, tables, beds, and chests of drawers, capable of being produced quickly and cheaply. . ~ This new utility furniture and other controlled household goods, however won’t be available to the public until late autumn, and the. Board of Trade urges people to postpone purchases wherever possible until the utility product comes on the market. In the meantime, there is already noticeable a serious shortage of household goods and other articles. For instance the fact that the manufacture of ’certain things such as pianos has continued does not mean that they are now to be had in anything like a normal supply. The new order bans the production of hand-operated lawn mowers, but it actually has been impossible for many months to buy a iawn mower in most parts of England. The same thing applies to many sporting goods such as tennis balls. . The new announcement explains that in sporting goods, preference has been given to production of articles for football, cricket, hockey, and other games which can be played by large groups. Golf balls are completely out of bounds for the duration,