THE BOOT TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 96, 24 April 1922, Page 9

THE BOOT TRADE.

ANNUAL DINNER. Every section of the Auckland wholesale and retail boot trade was represented at the annual dinner held at the Tiffin Tea Rooms last Saturday evening. The dinner was followed by a smoke social, Mr. J. W. Davidson being chairman. After the loyal toast n_d been duly honoured, Mr. T. Clarke proposed the toast of "The Wholesale and Manufacturing Branches of the Trade," he being president of the Boot Retailers' Association. The mover said all had experienced an anxious time, but there were indications, he was glad to state, that the return to normal grading conditions was approaching.

Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, responding, said that the huge stocks held by practically every warehouse in the Dominion had now been cleared, in most cases at a loss. That was due to the financial stringency prevailing last year. Similar conditions had existed throughout the world, and in all trades and businesses. Mr. Holdsworth said the : raw materials used in the leather trade/now had a firming tendency, and as finance was easier, it was expected there would he a recurrence of normal trading conditions.

Mr. H. Clarke suggested 'that the trade should hold frequent conferences to' discuss problems connected with their particular industry.

Mr. Edgar Walton proposed "The Retail Trade." He mentioned the fact that the boot and leather industry had contributed £1000 to the Protestant Orphans' Fund, the largest sum raised for that worthy object by any individual industry here. That satisfactory result was due to the untiring efforts of , Mr. H. Dearsley and Mr. W. Stone. In responding, Mr. C. Stone said retailers were now experiencing something akin to the slump that had affected the wholesale trade.

The speeches were interspersed with recitations and musical items.