FOOTWEAR UP AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 113, 12 May 1920, Page 5

FOOTWEAR UP AGAIN.

WAGES BONUS MEANS DEARER S BOOTS. AUCKLAND FACTORY METHODS. In the latest increase in the cost of boots there is a very good instance of the merry-go-round that high prices and wages are playing. To meet the bonus in wages given by the Arbitration Court to -employees in the boot manufacturing industry the factories have been compelled to increase their prices. The rise will not be considerable —sixpence or under per pair, as far us inquiries could ascertain this morning—but it is one more straw on the back of the camel. The boot industry has had a worrying time since the embargo on hides was lifted. There were two big and sudden rises in leather within a few weeks of one another, and now another re-adjust-ment of prices ie necessary. AUSTRALIAN V. NEW ZEALAND. It wae stated in some quarters when the enVbaTgo wae lifted that it was the New Zealand boot manufacturer's own fault if he could not compete with the Australian article 'When the Australian 1 maker would have to pay freight on the ; Xew Zealand leather across the Taemau ; Sea, and then again on the manufactured article back to the Dominion. The suggestion wae that the New Zealand methods were not as up-to-date ac those in vogue in the Commonwealth factories. This point was referred to an Auckland manager tliie morning. He said the Australian manufacturer was at an advantage to this extent, and tr> this extent only—That having a bigger population—five times as large as New Zealand—he could specialise in certain lines, which could be pro.duced at a lower coet owing to the fact that j the operatives were constantly employed on the one article. There wae no time lost in changing lasts and hides and the other lasses inevitable where ! the man was going from ona line of ■ goods to another, owing to the smaller demand from a emaller population. QUITE UP-TO-DATE. "Twaddle," he observed emphatically when it was suggested that New Zealand factories had obsolete machinery and methods. "The boot manufacturers in New Zealand to-day have in their factories as goad machinery as can be secured. The only thing we lack is the population which would enable us to epecialiee in the came manner as Australian factories. Aβ a proof of my contention it is only necessary to say that it ie impossible to import some lines of Australian-made goods at an advantage." He ehowed several samples of boote and ehoee, which for finish, appearance, and faithful build would compare with the very best imported article, and he was asked why it was necessary to go outside the Dominion at all for footwear. "Because the industry ie strangled," wae hie reply. "There ie a clause in the Arbitration Court's award which limits the apprentices to one for every three men. The result of this limitation is that we don't get enough trained operatives. With only one apprentice to three men it is impossible to kee.p~\ip the eupply of expert labour, and in these daye of keen competition the labour muet be highly skilled."