BOOT TRADE SLACKNESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 310, 29 December 1920, Page 4

BOOT TRADE SLACKNESS.

HOLIDAY IN CHBISTCHURCH. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHMSTOHIIRCH, this day. Owing to depression in the froot trade factory operatives are having a holiday of about ten days longer than usual at this period. This extension, of course, affects wages. It is iisuaJ iv the trade to ckvse down at Christmas two weeks, as in the ordinary course retailers' orders have been fiilod for several weeks. On this occasion the factories closed down from December 23, and will not re-open until January 17. It is stated that the large importations of Austra» lian footwear 'have greatly affected the boot manufacturing trade in the Dominion. According to retailers, however, the major cause is reduction i« purchases on the part of the public. In any eaee the manufacturing trade in prewar years had intervals of slackness. "There is no reason to anticipate that factories will close down for a further period," said a manufacturer. "Indeed the retailers report quite exceptional activity during Christmas week, and although possible orders to factories will be low until ahout April, factories should be able to t-arry on all right." Prior to the holidays many factory; workers were working short time.