Grey Footwear Maker Taking Industry To Auckland

Grey River Argus, 28 September 1949, Page 2

Grey Footwear Maker Taking Industry To Auckland

Mr F. C. Peters, who several years ago started in business as a shoe ienairer in Greymouth, and later established a footwear factory in the building formerly known as the Greymouth Oddfellows' Lodge, and then a clothing factory in Tamui Street, will leave in November for Auckland, where he will transfer his factoiies. The two factories, claimed Mr Peters, were worth more than £12,000 a yeai to Greymouth in wages and profits. The closing of the factories will mean that 30 Greymouth men, women and youths \ will be looking foi employment. The plant is capable of producing between 1800 and 2000 pairs of sandals each week, said Mr Peters, who added that two-thirds of the shoe factories in New Zealand were located in Auckland, where there should be ■ewer difficulties in obtaining skilled men. H e said that he also had an option to supply clothing to a chain store organisation, but the offer had to be declined owing to the irregularity in getting bulk material from Wellington. When the garments were manufactured there was the uncertainty in shipping them to the north. This opportunity, he contended, would have meant big business for Greymouth.