THE BOOT TRADE

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 11

THE BOOT TRADE

PROPOSED CONFERENCE WITH

PREMIER,

It was recently proposed that a conference be held at Wellington b.etvyeeir.the Prime Minister and members of the boot trade and consumers to consider what steps should be taken .with" a view to preventing the export of hides from New Zealand in too large a quantity. At a meeting of the Wellington Industrial Association last evening, a letter was received , from the Auckland Association asking for co-operation in the mattea-. It was stated in the letter. that, since the commodities have been controlled by tlie .Government, manufacturers have been enabled to make business arrangements with some degr.ee of security and confidence, and that it was considered that any reversal of the present arrangement was calculated ■ seriously to disturb that security, and add greatly to the cost of leather goods to local consumers. Attention was drawn to the resolution of the miners of the West Coast, asserting that the Government had done'nothing to reduce the cost pf living. Unless a sufficient quantity of hides was kept in New Zealand, the letter concluded, the price of boots- was likely to advance very largely.

Mr. C. J. Ward, a well-known manufacturer, outlined the. position, and, as a demonstration of what an increase meant, said that the recent advance of 2d per pound on hides meant an additional Is 9d on the price of working men's boots. This.surely proved that the consumers, as well, as the manufacturers, should take a hsaft in the matter.

After some discussion, Mr. Ballinger moved that the association give its support' to the Auckland Association, and that Mr. C. J. Ward be appointed to represent the local association at the conference. This was finally agreed to.