BUSY FACTORIES.
THE BOOT INDUSTRY.
ORDERS FOR MAY DELIVERY.
COPING WITH NEW DEMAND.
Opinion is divided in the boot trade us to the capacity of New Zealand manufacturers to cope with the additional demand created by the import control restrictions. Earnest endeavours are being made bv factories to meet the position, and it is considered that in time firms operating in the Dominion will be able to supply all requirements.
Retailers state that some firms, which formerly were in the habit of delivering six weeks after booking an order, ha\e advised that it will be impossible to deliver before next May. In that month, also, they will accept orders for the summer and Christmas trade, these orders being normally placed in October.
It was pointed out by the manager of one shop that trading conditions were now similar to indenting, the only difference being that the goods were made in Xew Zealand. In some quarters it was considered unlikely that it would be possible to fill depleted lines from warehouse stock, but it was impossible to obtain confirmation of this suggestion. At the same time it was learned that some houses which formerly kept stocks would continue the practice for the benefit of their customers, though it was likely that heavy inroads would! 1)6 made into them.
Although manufacturing processes in Xow Zealand have improved to such an extent in recent years that local products compare favourably with imported lines, there has been during the past month a growing demand in a number of shops for English shoes, in the belief that it will be impossible to obtain these in the future. Many customers have picked out shoes which they stated by their style and cut were English and have gone happily away with their pur-! chases. Actually the shoes were made in >Tew Zealand. Fewer Styles? Retailers are hoping that an attempt will be made to reduce the number of styles of women's shoes manufactured in the Dominion. It was pointed out that fashions appeared to change overnight, with corresponding heavy loss to retailers. It was thought that by a measure of standardisation it would be possible for New Zealand manufacturers
to effect economies and reduce prices. There was a tendency for the price of shoes to rise. One firm put the recent increase at one shilling per pair on local shoes and very much higher on imported shoes. "We expect the prick of the cheaper English shoes to continue to rise," said one retailer.
The volume of ordering during the past month has been so great that some country travellers have been obliged to spend extra time in the city interviewing buyers at the factories. The buyers have not waited for the traveller to call, but have come to Auckland themselves seeking supplies. "
The need for expansion of the boot, industry is recognised by the manti*?.' facturers themselves. They state that their plant is sufficient to cope *witld* larger output, but that there will liot be substantial progress made until the necessary labour can be procured or trained. In the meantime they are seeking the co-operation of the retailers to enable organisation to proceed smoothly.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 12
Word Count
527BUSY FACTORIES. Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 12
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