VOLUNTARY BOOT REPAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21724, 19 May 1934, Page 11

VOLUNTARY BOOT REPAIRS

COMPLAINT BY TRADE [Pru United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 18. A deputation troni the boot repairing section of the Dominion Federation of tile Boot Trades’ Association of New Zealand waited on the Minister of Employment (Mr Hamilton)) to-day with a complaint that their business was suffering through the activities of the Smith family and similar organisations which wore being helped by the Government and were interfering with the business of private boot repairers. It was suggested that men on relief work should be allowed to work extra time to cover the cost of repairing, and that the Government should inaugurate a scheme by which the local relief committees could control the work.

Mr Hamilton said the Unemployment Board had no desire to interfere with private business, but the whole question was whether the relief workers would be able to have their footwear repaired if the work was not done by some voluntary organisation. The provision of extra work would add to the burden on the board’s funds. Mr Hamilton said he would be pleased to go into the scheme with the board and see what could be done.