BOOT INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1934, Page 8

BOOT INDUSTRY.

TARIFF PROTECTION. S DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. RETAINING 25 PER CENT DUTY. t (Isy Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) c WELLINGTON, this day. ' The request that the present duty 0:1 c boots and shoes of 25 per cent under the e British preferential clause should be rer tained and not reduced to 20 per cent, as ? proposed by the 'ParilV Commission, was made to the Minister of Customs, Mr. 1 B Coates, by a deputation representing 3 manufacturers of boots and shoes. The Minister promised to consider the reprci sentations. Mr. F. L. Hutchison, C'liristchurch, r said it had been shown previously that the shoe industry in New Zealand had t never made excessive profits and the - position wns very similar to-day. Ovcr--1 seas and local competition would always - prevent abnormal profits or the overr sheltering of industry by the tarill". The ] industry was negotiating the present i crisis and had successfully surmounted . difficult economic conditions to date in , keeping with other industries. The • workers employed, who, with their de- | pendents, totalled approximately 9000 [ persons, had suH'cred great hardship | owing to prevailing conditions. The industry was linked up with the tanning industry, which produced a quality of leather which was eminently suitable for New Zealand requirements. The cost of material to the shoe manufacturer was £25-1,000, over and above which lie imported leather to the value of £120,000, together with other materials for use in connection with the manufacture of his product to the value of £110,000. The value of the article produced was £1,000,000. Wages and salaries paid amounted to £335,000, and additional expenses, other than for wages and materials, amounted to £115,000. If the. present protection was in any way reduced it would be a serious blow to the local manufacturer and . would jeopardise the £000,000 capital invested : in the industry. The average price of the New Zealand output, including slippers, for the year ended March 31, 1032, was 11/10J per pair. Mr. Hutchison referred to the . advantages of manufacturing footwear in the Dominion and said that it should be noted that the use of New Zealand leather in the industry was steadily increasing. The industry was not seeking increased protection, but he submitted that the duties at present operating against all couutries were, equitable and justified. Mr. Coates said that he would consider the representations.