2,000,000 BOOTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 279, 25 November 1941, Page 8

2,000,000 BOOTS

WANTED BY MILITARY

APPEALS FOR TRADESMEN

Nearly 70 appeals on behalf of boot operatives and workers in allied trades came before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board this | morning. Mr. S. Edwards, chairman of the footwear group in Auckland, stated that in the past year New Zealand had produced about 1,000.000 pairs of military and civilian boots and shoes, but next year nearly 1,000.000 pairs of military boots alone would be required.

The labour position was getting more desperate. There were not enough men to work shifts. Some of the tanners had dropped in production on account of the shortage of labour.

A 40-hour week was being worked, and on this basis the standardised price had been fixed. If a 44-hour week was worked the increased output of boots in Auckland alone would be 1500 to 2000 pairs a week, and, provided further production was not wanted, it would be possible to release a number of operatives. Representation had been made by employers for an increase of the 40hour week some time ago, but nothing had come of it. 52-Hour Week in Australia In Australia a 52-hour week was being worked. The proportion of profit gained on military boots was very little and if the employer increased his costs by paying the higher overtime rates, he would be manufacturing at a loss, unless the price paid for military boots was increased. The price had been fixed at the beginning of the war by the Footwear Manufacturers' Federation and the Price Tribunal, but since then costs had increased. A loss in production of 28,000 to 30,000 pairs of military boots would result from operatives having a fortnight's holiday at Christmas. The loss would be reduced, though there would still be a certain amount, if the holidays were staggered. Trade School Very Satisfactory The footwear trade school was proving very satisfactory. Twelve men and eight women * machinists from the school had been placed in industry. The school was not now letting its trainees go out into industry before they had completed five months' training. The school had an order for 200 pairs of military boots, and it would be manufacturing 50 pairs a week. The school would be able to release 20 trainees for industry in February. Concluding his statement, in which he was led by the Crown representative, Mr. F. J. Cox, Mr. Edwards stated that a small committee, consisting of the president and secretary of the union, a manufacturer and himself, had been set up to go into the cases coming before the board. The committee had visited every factory and had interviewed every man. The information gained by the committee was placed before the board.

Mr. Cox stated that the committee had been set up to assist the board and he thought the board would be grateful for what it had done.

Sine die adjournments were granted in most cases, the chairman. Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., stating that most of the appeals would be reviewed in about three months' time.