TARIFF COMMISSION

Evening Star, Issue 21499, 25 August 1933, Page 3

TARIFF COMMISSION

JAPANESE RUBBER SHOES

[Per UyiiKD Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, August 24,

Investigation into the effect upon tli* health of the people of the wearing of Japanese rubber footwear was requested by Mr C. A. Watts, secretary of the New Zealand Federated Boot Trade Industrial Association of Workers when giving evidence before the Tariff Commission to-day. He said the introduction of machinery had brought about the displacement of workers, and the stage had been reached where a large number of highly qualified operatives was out of employment. “ I am directed by my association to ask that the commission recommend that an investigation be made as to the effect upon the health of the people of the wearing of this perspirationcausing rubber. We have a feeling that the stuff should bo treated as being noxious and its entry prohibited so far as this dominion is concerned.” Dr Craig (chairman of the coni mission i : Wo are concerned only with the duties. That is our order of reference.

Professor Murphy: Is this Japanese footwear any more deleterious than other rubber footwear.

Mr Watts: No, but we have this position: that young people are wearing this footwear in the streets through force of circumstance. _ They have to buy the cheapest article, and continous wearing of this footwear must have a deleterious effect, because the rubber does not breathe like leather.