ENGLISH FOOTWEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 14

ENGLISH FOOTWEAR

THE PRESENT TARIFF

REDUCTION SOUGHT

Further representations on behalf of the English footwear industry were made before the Tariff Commission yesterday afternoon by Mr. J. A. Peek, who claimed to represent factories responsible for 75 per cent, of the industry. The Comptroller of Customs (Dr. G. Craig) presided, and associated with him were Professor B. B. Murphy and Messrs." J. B. Gow and G. A. Pascoe.

Mr. Peck said that modifications were sought in the present duties, but the active details had not yet come to hand. The United Kingdom boot and shoe industry was of national importance by reason of the importance and quality of the products made, the number of persons employed at fair or reasonable rates of pay, and the output value of the goods manufactured. The industry could1 more than meet the internal market. Factory conditions -and wage rates were regulated by national agreement with the union. The minimum wage for male adult workers was 54s weekly and the females 33s weekly. These rates were for the lowest-paid operatives on day worki The piecework rates for the average worker for less skilled operations was 25 per cent, over the minimum day rate and anything from 35 to 47J per cent, for more highly skilled operations. A large number of operatives were on piece-work rates. In terms of New Zealand's depreciated currency the average salaries and wages paid per head was £157 2s per annum, compared with £160 for the Dominion. In addition to the tariff the two very serious handicaps to the United Kingdom business were the high rate of exchange and the sales tax. At present the local boot factories enjoyed protection amounting to approximately 65 per cent,, and placed the United Kingdom manufacturer entirely outside the position of a domestic competitor. He said that the Denning report referred to London conditions only. The operatives working in the industries described by Dr. Denning made only cheap footwear, which did not find its way to New Zealand.