TANNERS’ REPLY TO CRITICISM OF M.Z.-MADE LEATHER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23288, 24 June 1950, Page 3

TANNERS’ REPLY TO CRITICISM OF M.Z.-MADE LEATHER

WELLINGTON, June 24. The published remarks of Professor i G. S. Peren, principal of Massey Agri- ! cultural College, in which he referred ! to New Zealand-made leather as being i at the best only “mediocre" were rcI ferred to yesterday during the course !of an executive meeting of the New | Zealand Tanners' Association by 'ho president, Mr. Thos. G. Tomkins. “The ! paper presented by Mr. Caughley of the I New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association lo the meeting of East Coast sheep farmers at which the professor spoke, dealt entirely with the i handling of raw hides and skins which become tanners’ raw materials,” said Mr. Tomkins. “In ihis direction over •he past years Now Zealand tanners have co-operated closely with producer interests with a view to improving the handling and preservation of hides and skins and very definite improvements have been attained. Demonstration OlTeretl “Members of the association would welcome the opportunity to show by visual demonstration that, the professor's condemnation of New Zealand leathers is without foundation and can assure him that several tanners have personal experience of leather made in the United Kingdom and Australia, the two countries with which lie compares our local products. On the average New Zealand leather compares most favourably with ether countries. “In regard to his complaint abput boots it is assumed that he is referring to the heavier types such as would be used in the country and we simply refer him to the fact that these boots are being made bv the same people (manufacturers and tanners) who made all the military footwear for New Zealand troops “during the war and these boots gained a tremendous reputation for quality. “We consider such criticism is misleading to the public and does a grave disservice to asCreputable New Zealand industry,’’ concluded Mr. Tomkins.