BOOTS AND SHOES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14522, 26 November 1912, Page 8

BOOTS AND SHOES.

PROPOSED READJUSTMENT OF TARIFF. MEETING OF IMPORTERS. In view of the approaching conference convened by tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of Customs, to consider the ro-adjustment of the tariff on boots and shoes, a representative meeting of importers and retailers was held last evening, when tho following resolutions were passed: —

1. "That this meeting, representative of tho boot and shoe retailers and importers of Christchurch, urge their representatives at the Conference to bo convened by the Minister of Customs +o opposo any increase in tho existing tar:ff, and recommends that all footwear that cannot bo profitably manufactured in the Dominion be admitted duty free, or, at most, to bear a 5 per cent, revenue tax, including mens, women's, and children's slippers with uppers of any material other than leather, with or without heels, evening shoes with top piece or wood heels, goloshes, plimsolls, gum-boots, and all other rubber shoes, buckskin boots and shoes with leather, rubber, mercury or chromo soles, and all children's footwearup to size ono (inclusive)."

2. "That wo oppose the injustice of tho existing specific duty on all footwear, and in the best interests of thp publio generally, strongly recommend its removal, particularly from such lines as men's and women's leather slippers, evening and ward shoes, with or without straps."

3. 'In support of the foregoing resolutions this meeting would respectfully direct attention to tho following facts: —(a) That tho Cost of Living Commission recommended that tho existing tariff bo reduced, (b) That the Wellington . operatives have instructed their delegates at the forthcoming conferenco to oppose any further increase in the tariff, (c) That owing to tho high standard of living adopted in this Dominion, and tho constant change of fashion demanded, we consider it impossible for tho New Zealand manufacturer to cope with any increased output, owing to the scarcity of skilled labour, both malo and female, and we sco no prospect of this shortage being combated, duo to the favourable conditions of the operatives in other countries, and tho youth of the Dominion not following up tho trade."

THE TRADE AT HOME

WHAT MANUFACTURERS SAY. LABOUR CONDITIONS AND -. WAGES. A Christchurch firm has received several interesting letters from English manufacturers relative to the conditions of work and wages paid at Home factories. One firm, whose factory is at Northampton, states:—"From particulars we have from workpeopie that have left our own factory in Northampton, and settled down in the boot factories in Australia and New Zealand, we find there is not a great deal of differenco in tho wages paid when all matters aro considered. Owing to trade unionism being so strong in the Home Country the output of each individual worker is restricted. From our reports, we.find that the boot operator in New Zealand lias to work very much quicker, and lias to do a great deal more for the extra money. In fact, we aro quite suro that if people would only sett c down at their work in the Home Country, ajid do as much as is done in Australia and New Zealand, thoy would soon earn ■ such wages aa £2 15s 6d, provided the ■4 Trades Unions woiiid allow them to go ,at snoh a pace. Of course, we work * 52J hours per week, and the wages for ;■ tho men employed varies from . 30s minimum, to £2 10s, and the average wage would be about 345. The women V. employed in the boot trade get from 12s to 20s weekly, and we think the average would be about 165." . A London' firm writes: —"We pay 32s to 34s for ordinary lasters, clickers, and finishers (for a 52J hour, week), who have a very strong Trades Union, with smart capable officials watching their interests, also Government Factory Inspectors always about to sco that every- . thing is in order. The cost of living is, of course, notoriously low in London and all large towns owing to our system of free trade.