SHODDY FOOTWEAR.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18141, 2 August 1924, Page 5

SHODDY FOOTWEAR.

COMPLAINT TO MINISTER OF LABOUR. (PEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, August 1. Further complaint in regard to tho sale of slioddy footwear was made to the Minister .of Labour this morning by a deputation representing the Boot Manufacturers' Association and the Boot Trado Federation, comprising employers and operatives respectivelj. Both in their own interests, and in the interests of the general public, the deputation asked that legislation be introduced prohibiting any boots and shoes of shoddy leather being offered for sale. Disappointment was expressed by Mr A. iloss, president of the Manufacturers* Association, that better results had not been achieved as a result of the conference held some time ago with the inspectors of the Labour I>3partmeiit. . The Minister said the use of certain materials other than leather was effective and , quite permissible, and the Department did not intend to lay it down that footwear should be all leather. Mr Ross said they merely wanted to bo.on the same footing as the manufacturers in the Old Country. . Mr Anderson stated in reply that the proposition put to hiuj was not an easy one. He had inspected some of the" children's footwear that was being imported, and he agreed that it should bo prohibited from entering the country, but it would be difficult to convince the House that shoddy ladies' shoes should be prevented from coming in. Working women demanded boots and shoes, according to their purses. The Departmental officers were _ doing their utmost to protect the public: Tt was quite" possible for children's shoes to be made of . all leather, and yet be more- dangerous to the wearer than "compo" footwear. "From my point of view," he said, "the thing you ask is impracticable except in the case of children's footwear, and it is not going to be an easy matter to deal with. However, I will eo into it with the Experts .of the Department and see whs* can be done."