BOOT REPAIRING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 257, 27 July 1936, Page 2

BOOT REPAIRING

Registration Scheme For Tradesmen UNSKILLED LABOUR The need for protection against competition by unskilled labour was emphasised by Mr. G. Shields, Dominion secretary, in an address to members of the Canterbury branch of the Dominion Federation Boot Trades Association. Mr. Shields said the object of the. federation was to seek legislation for the registration of all bespoke bootmakers and repairers and a revision of the apprenticeship system, to seek legislation for the abolition of relief depots, where boot and shoe repairing was carried on, to have an inquiiy with regard to sustenance men who were allowed to carry on a private business while in receipt of sustenance, aud to seek further legislation for a standard minimum price of repairs; and to ask that stricter measures be taken to ensure that all imported boots and shoes' should comply with the statutory laws of the country. Many Setbacks. The boot and shoe trade, which was one of the oldest trades in existence, had suffered considerable setbacks through the depression and lack of organisation, and also lack of official recognition as a trade. As a consequence numerous people without technical or practical experience had set up business on their own, advertising to the public at prices lower than an economic basis, aud the tradesman repairer had, in many cases, been compelled to lower .his prices to compete with these non-tradesmen. The Unemployment Board under the late Government had been responsible for employing a number of men at the relief depots who were not tradesmen, and now, as a consequence of the closure of many of these depots, a number of men were now entering into the repairing trade and depriving the legitimate tradesman of a portion of his livelihood. By securing legislation for registration the federation was convinced that this was the only way in which to secure protection, and through a revision of the apprenticeship system the training of boys could be guaranteed. One of the most serious aspects of unskilled men repairing shoes was the serious menace to the public in further aggravating the malformation of the foot'which was so prevalent to-day among civilised races. The federation was trying to organise a system of technical training for young people in the retail business in order that they might better understand the application of the correct shoes to the peculiarities of the foot.

Employment for Boys

The Government was considering the introduction of secondary industries in the Dominion and subsidising these industries' for the purpose of absorbing a number of unemployed persons. With proper protection the boot trade—that was the bespoke and repairing branches of the trade —could absorb for the next ten years 200 boys a year to be fully trained in the art of bootmaking and repairing. This would help to relieve the burden of unemployment aud would be a means of educating and developing useful citizens. With increased commodity costs it would be necessary to readjust the prices of repairs, and the public could be reassured that there would be no exploitation. This matter would be carefully considered aud the extra price to be paid would only be one corresponding with increased commodity costs.