NEW ZEALAND FOOTWEAR.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18265, 26 December 1924, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND FOOTWEAR.

TO THE IDITOE 0? "THE PKSS." Sir,—You were good enough to publish a note on tho above subject on the ISth inst., but yonr readers are, so far, without a reply thereto from the boot manufacturers' side. There are but few business men who, without protest, would allow it to bo said that in point of quality their products were, in the opinion of many, excelled by imported goods, yet no one has seen fit to present the local makers' side of the story, and the neglect to do so only goes to strengthen tho feeling that New Zea-land-made footwear suffers when compared with the best Home boots. That feeling has got to be removed before a discriminating public will exhibit anv great desiro to wear the loeally-made article. No test equals that of wear, and judged thereby, the soles of New Zealand-mado boots fall short in wearing quality when put alongside the productions of many Home firms. Your readers are familiar -with the assertions made on behalf of Dominion boots but lacking proof, mere assertions are unconvincing, and until it is proved thar New Zealand tanned sole leather gives as good wear as English tanned leather, local footwear will be regarded with

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disfavour by those who have had many opportunities of trying out. boots from both sources. It would require an expert to give the reason for tho difference between Homo and New Zealand sole leather, but the ordinary man is satisfied that a difference really exists. What is wanted is an improvement in the wearing quality of the local sole leather, and when this has been secured, some sales managers will have ! reason to congratulate themselves on an increased demand for locally-made I boots, but not till then.—Yours, etc., I ' UPON MY SOLE. 1 December 2iih, 1924.