THE PRICE OF BOOTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 164, 11 July 1907, Page 6

THE PRICE OF BOOTS.

PKOIEST .AGAIXST AX INXEEASED IMPORT DUTY, .

A meeting of boot importers was held in the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, to consider the Government ■proposals with regard to the duty on imported foot-wear. Mr H. S. Dadiey presided over a good attendance. The chairman said they gathered that it was the intention of the Government to alter the duty on imported boots ana shoes, though in what way had not yet transpired. Experience in Auckland was that they met with a difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies of locally-made foot-wear. They had, in consequence, embodied their views in a petition for presentation to the House.

The petition showed that the present duty was 371 per cent on goods-of American and Continental manufacture and 25 per cent on those of English make, to which had to be added the various commissions and profits. From contact with customers and others, the petitioners thought the present price of boots and shoes pressed hea\-ily upon the working classes, and the procuring of foot-wear for even a moderate family caused the greatest anxiety. The present high tariff adequately protected local industry. The petitioners were unable to obtain full supplies of colonial-made goods, and the reason given by the manufacturers was that they were unable to obtain sufficient machinists to cope with the work. The operatives themselves had refused to agree to a scheme for the introduction tnf machinists from the Australian Commonwealth. Any addition to the present Irigh tariff would increase.the burden on the workers without any -_o_responding benefit, and tlie petitioners were utterly at a loss to understand why the trade should desire to increase these burdens.

Mr S. Stone moved that the petition i>e circulated for signature and presented to .Parliament. He expressed himself as a firm believer in protection, provided that it was carried out on a reasonable basis. The' Government and the retailers throughout the colony had done their best to encourage .local industry, with the •result that the factories had never enjoyed greater prosperity than at present and now there was a request for greater protection. The most unfortunate part was the infliction of an extra burden upon those who were least able to bear it.

Mr T. Clark seconded the motion, and Said they wanted it understood that they ■were not in any way antagonistic to the operatives of the colony, for many of those present had worked at the bench. 3__ey felt the responsibility and duty of giving the public the best value for their money.

Mr G. Lewis thought the petition {hardly went far enough. They should impress on the Government the danger •■with an increased tariff, of combines controlling local supplies, with the immediate result of a rise in price. A company •with a capital of £350,000 had recently fceen formed in Christchurch for the purpose of buying up the smaller manufacturers, and this was what they wanted to Check.

Mr Dadley said they did not know yet whether the Christchurch company intended to buy up smaller firms or erect its own premises. He suggested that a delegate go to Wellington with the peti"tion, and place their views before the Minister for Customs. They had practically a manufacturers' combine in Auckland, for it was not uncommon for them to receive a circular intimating a rise in price from a certain date. They had all had experience of this.

>lr A. _S"ewsom said the idea was that united action should be taken by the trade in the four centres, and four delegates would go to Wellington. The motion was then put and carried, a committee being appointed as well to (tarry it into effect.