N.Z. FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26869, 23 October 1952, Page 10

N.Z. FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

PRICE CONTROL OPPOSED FEDERATION SEEKS ABOLITION Complete abolition of price control in the footwear industry is wanted by the New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers’ Federation. The annual meeting at the Hermitage this week adopted a remit from the Auckland trade group that the federation should continue to press the Government to abolish price control as it affected the industry. Two reasons for advocating this action were given in the remit. It stated that footwear was in ample supply in retail stores, and that manufacturers were able to cater fully for any possible demand. Therefore there was now no practical need for the irksome, costly and restrictive provisions of price control. After discussing the action of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation in sponsoring the branding of goods with the name of the manufacturer and place of manufacture, the meeting decided to support the Government’s proposed legislation for branding of New Zealand-made and imported goods. It also decided to recommend to the Government that footwear should be included in the provisions of the legislation. The hope was expressed, however, that the Government would take the opportunity of reviewing or revoking the Footwear Regulations Act. 1913, the provisions of which were now considered to be obsolete. Another remit dealing with price control, which was adopted, recommended that effective action should be taken to secure (a) recovery of depreciation and obsolescence on plant equipment and buildings at official rates but on current replacement values: and (b) exemption from taxation on such recovery as being straight overhead expenses not connected with mark-up. A special study group will be established to report on the problem with particular reference to aspects of taxation and price control. Mr A. E. Holt, of Auckland, was reelected president of the federation, and Mr R. A. Marsh, of Christchurch was elected vice-nresidept. Other officers are:—immediate past president. Mr T. G. Shanks (Christchurch); executive, Messrs W. A. Coles (Auckland). R. T. Davenport (Wellington). H. Latta wav (Christchurch), N. McKinlav (Dunedin). R. S. Kendon (Auckland and H. J. Luff (Dunedin). Messrs Kendon and Luff are elected members, and the other members are trade group representatives.