BOOT CONTRACTS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 23 May 1933, Page 15

BOOT CONTRACTS

FOOTWEAR FOR THE UNEMPLOYED. i OFFER BY RETAILERS. SUPPLY AT 10 PER CENT. COMMISSION. i A representative meeting of foot- ' wear retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and repairers decided last night to make an offer to the Unemployment Board to distribute the footwear under the board's large scale contract supply scheme on a "10 per cent, commission, goods on consignment" basis. A motion, "That we as footwear retailers of Christchurch emphatically protest against the action of the Government in calling for tenders and supplying boots to relief workers, as this will tend to create further unemployment and bring the retailers into serious financial difficulties; and we are also of opinion that relief workers should draw a living wage in the ordinary way and buy their requirements in the open market," was carried unanimously by the retailers present. The wholesalers and manufacturers, later in the meeting, passed the following resolution unanimously: "The manufacturers and wholesalers represented at this meeting strongly support the principle that distribution of the footwear supply should be through the footwear retailers."

There were about 40 persons present at the meeting, over which Mr H. R. JBest presided. The chairman stated that he understood the contracts for the manufacture of the women's and children's shoes had not been let yet. The retailers in Greymouth had supported a protest against the distribution of the contract footwear by the board. There had been a suggestion both from Dunedin and Auckland that the retailers should accept the distribution of the women's and children's boots and shoes on the basis of a 10 per cent, commission. He did not think that figure was adequate, and perhaps the best thing would be to have nothing to do with any of the distribution. "The Thin End of the Wedge." '■This action of letting contracts for the manufacture of boots is the thin end of the wedge," Mr Best continued. "It might easily be extended soon to include clothing, blankets, groceries, and meat, and even other things, too. A decision on the present point is therefore most important. The ideal method is for the retailers to have the distribution of the goods at a fair charge. Concrete suggestions to the board are needed. I understand that similar meetings to this are to be held in Dunedin and Timaru. Meetings have already been held in Auckland, Greymouth, and Oamaru." Many questions were asked concerning the operation of the board's proposals for distribution, but the chairman explained that there was no definite information available. Opinions were given, however, that the sales tax would not be a cha je against the distributors, and that supplies would almost certainly be on consignment. Mr Best said that the principle at stake was very important. He had had a great deal of experience with Government departments, especially concerning the effort' to establish standard footwear, and he had not been impressed. However, there was general sympathy for the relief workers. Direct supply would be wrong in principle and retailers ought to help all they could. An explanation given of -ie need for retailers handling the women's and children's shoes and boots was that more care in fitting was required in fitting them. Heavy men's boots were not-as important in that respect.

A retailer claimed that unless the goods were put into shops on consignment the handling would be at a loss with the margin fixed at 10 per cent. At such a figure the loss would work out at up to 15 per cent, he calculated. Interference Resented. Mr T. H. Woods: Even if we agree to handle the footwear at a fixed percentage we should still protest against the principle. There are some cases of distress, of course, which have to be met, but the Government or the Unemployment Board should have consulted the trade before starting in free competition with it. The state has coal, but there is no distribution of free coal to be made. If the Government wants to have a fair go, let it "have a go" at its own coal. I dare say there will be-encroachment on other trades. We must protest even though we assist. Years ago a lot of. time and money were wasted in an attempt to establish standardised boots and nothing came of it. I consider that coal is just as important as footwear, if not more so. The retailers then affirmed the motion outlined above, and on the motion of Mr Stewart Robinson it was decided that the retailers offer to supply the footwear on a basis of 10 per cent, goods on commission. A committee, consisting of Messrs Robinson, Donnelly, Pannell, Falconer, and Woods, was elected to interview a representative of the Unemployment Board to ascertain the details of the board's scheme. The "details of the retailers' offer were discussed in committee, after which the manufacturers and wholesalers present passed the resolution supporting the principle of the retailers' protest.