THE BOOT INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 20, 18 October 1917, Page 3

THE BOOT INDUSTRY

The question of organising the boot industry, with the view of maintaining its greatest possible efficiency, and at the eame time releasing every eligible man. possible, has been a live subject to those engaged in the trade, ever since its first mention, during the hearing ot certain, appeals before the Wellington Military Service Board early in the present year. A special conference of the Executive Committee and members of the Boot Manufacturers' Association was recently held in Clftistchurch. and as a result .local efficiency committees were appointed in each centre, each local committee to appoint a representative on a centra! committee or board meeting in WeihngThe central board met in Wellington last week. The following members wore present:—Messrs. W. Hnmmill (Auckland), chairman, H. B. Duckworth (Christclmrch), J. D. Bea (Ditaedin), and G. J. Ward (Wellington), secretary. The' objects were defined ns follow:— (1) To organise the boot industry in all labour matters during the war period; (2) to secure unanimity of action ior each centre in all appeal cases /taken before the military service boards; (J) to secure an adequate distribution or laboiir with the view of preserving the individual business of each member of the association. Considerable attention was given to matters aft'octing returned soldiers willing to enter the industry, and-a deputation was appointed to interview the Minister responsible. Technical education and the efficient training of apprentices were also important questions on the ageuila. The distribution of labour from factory to factory as may be required to enable manufacturers to keep ! heir factory running was satisfactorily dealt with but the co-operation of the Operatives' Union will bo ■ necessary to make tills effective. The Operatives • Union is being negotiated with in this matter. Tlie classification of the workmen into the various grades for purposes of appeals before the various appeal bonrds, so as to secure unanimity of action in each centre, and at the same time fail in line with the classification adopted by tho National Efficiency Board proved a task of some magnitude, but what is believed to be a satisfactory solution was arrived at. Tho difficulty of tho coin : mitteo will bo manifest to the uninitiated, when it is stated that the sending into camp of one clicker means that fifteen to twenty other workpeople will be out of employment, and a reduction of ten thousand pairs of boots per annum will ensno in the output of the trado.