CAN SATISFY THE MARKET

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 153, 25 March 1938, Page 13

CAN SATISFY THE MARKET

New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers STATEMENT BY THE NEW PRESIDENT “The footwear, manufacturing ,indus-j try is quite confident that it is capable of satisfying the requirements of the ( New Zealand market,” said the newlyelected president of the New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers’ Federation, Mr. H. W. Shove, interviewed after the federation’s annual conference at Wellington yesterday. Mr. Shove reported a successful and representative conference of more than 90 per cent, of the Dominion’s footwear manufacturers.

> “It has been stated that certain classes of footwear could not be made in New Zealand, but we would point out that samples of these lines are already being offered to the retail trade at reasonable prices,” said Mr. Shove. Referring to the threatened English boycott of New Zealand’s primary produce as a reprisal for tariff alterations, Mr. Shove said it should be pointed out that, while one class of English manufacturer might lose some export business as the result of the tariff amendment, others would gain considerably by the increased demand for raw materials and plant necessary to produce shoes made in New Zealand.

“It is common knowledge that the policy of definite protection adopted by Australia has fostered her manufacturing industries without repercussions of any kind in respect of her export of primary produce,” he said. “New Zealand has every reason to anticipate similar success with the same policy. It should be made clear that all the circumstances of the case, including any possible reactions upon our mutual trade, were thoroughly examined by both the English and New Zealand'Governments before any action was taken. “The depressed in the footwear trade in 1937 were caused by the excessive imports from overseas, due to the industry’s inability to compete under the conditions imposed by the new industrial legislation,” Mr. Shove continued.

The following figures, he said, illustrated his statement: —

The Importer, Mr. Shove ' declared, was complaining because his abnormal business of 1937 could not continue.

The majority of those employees in the footwear industry who were engaged only part time or were out of a position, would now be. reabsorbed, as the result of the new tariff. “In order to give tile consumer the fullest possible advantage of the new conditions, a permanent committee of co-ordination, comprising leading members of the industry, has lieen set up,” Mr. Shove concluded.

Imports of Leather Boots and Shoes (exclusive of children’s sizes, 0-9). 1933 ' 406,944 pairs 1934 .... .... 454,044 pairs 1935 ..... 517,812 pairs 1936 .... 568,236 pairs 1937 .... 878,892 pairs