THE BOOT TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 91, 17 April 1923, Page 3

THE BOOT TRADE

SLACKNESS IN AUCKLAND DENIED.

" (IT TSIEGIUPH. —SPECIAL TO TIB TOST.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The statement made by a member of the executive of the Canterbury Industrial Association last week that one of the largest boot factories in Auckland had been closed, and that there was not an Auckland factory working full time, apparently was made on unreliable information. The alleged slackness in the boot trade was said to be due to large importations of English boots and Bhoes during December, January, and February. It was stated that bootß and shoes had been imported to the Dominion of a total value of £340,----000. Mr. H. Dearsl'ey stated yesterday that no factory in Auckland had been closed, and that he knew of no unemployment locally in fthe industry. His own company was preparing for considerable extensions,,; which would double its capacity. Mr. Dearsley said that during the last' twelve months there had been large importations of English boots and shoes. A great proportion of these consisted of ladies' shoes, and local manufacturers who specialised in this class of goods had no doubt been affected ,by the hehvy competition. As far as men's footwear was concerned, said the speaker, manufacturers in the Dominion, could more than hold their own. A feature of the position in regard to the heavy importations from England, he added, was that those who bought the bootß on indent in certain cases had received extended credit from local manufacturers, while the imports were paid for on sight. This was hardly fair to' the local factories, who were producing a highgrade article which they . claimed gave better, value than the imported goods. The fears expressed in Christchurch regarding the likelihood of Germap boots capturing- the Dominion market when the embargo on German goods was removed was also referred to by. Mr. Dearsley. He expressed the opinion that the local manufacturers would be thoroughly safeguarded by the reservations placed by the Government on the I importation of German goods.