The Star. Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, OpunaKe, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, and Waverley. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1912. AN AGE OF SHODDY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 25 June 1912, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, OpunaKe, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, and Waverley. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1912. AN AGE OF SHODDY.

There are observers who consider the present age as pre-eminently the age of shoddy. But though there is a great deal of make-believe in the world at the present time, it is doubtful if there is relatively more than there has been in previous periods. It seems to have been constantly a. characteristic of men ever since they have lived in towns and cities. Yet, possibly, it may be on the increase, and one almost hopes it may be, out of regard for the people of past times, for though it can do no good, still sympathetic natures would grieve much to think or feel that their progenitors had had to bear up against the deceits which harass and fleece the people of the present day. Even in this young and favored land, makebelieve flaunts in all the disguises, which are likely to protect it from detection. In the sphere of trade this has long been done in New Zealand, to "the detriment of thousands of buyers. Yet though these have grumbled much individually, they have made no collective protest, perhaps because there has been no public disclosure or declaration concerning the extent to which shoddy or make-believe has been the means of robbing the people. In this connection, the Cost of Living Commission is likely to lead to the creation of a much-needed public opinion. In Christchurch the other day, one of the witnesses told the Commission that twenty years ago workmen's boots cost from 25s to 30s, whereas they could now be bought at from 6s to los, but the difference here is more apparent than real; in fact, the seeming gain for the worker is, in reality, a loss to him. Very likely workmen themselves know this only too well, and no doubt it is equally well known by the importers and retailers. In fact, at the sitting of the Commission at which the witness we have quoted gave his evidence, a retail trader, who had been a bootmaker and a foreman in a boot factory, expressly slated that "the introduction of shoddy ) >ots into the dominion had helped to vi crease the cost of living. They did ,

""'it wear well. He produced a boot, :< bailed at 15s 6d, which had been

orn for one month. If a man had to iviy three pairs of shoddy boots in one •?ar instead of two. pairs. of well-made I'oots it stood to reason that the cost was greater. He .produced a child's shoe, indented as all leather, which had a composition insole,. canvas lining and backed up with cardboard. Often

retailers were not tradesmen and sold the shoddy boots in good faith. The child's shoe would wear fairly well if it did not get wet, but it would not repair. Another shoe he produced had a half-cardboard heel. Often the samples shown were genuinely good and the agents acted in good faith • but boots with cardboard or composition in them should be branded plainly." Surely, after this public statement, something will be done to prevent shoddy being sold as though it were a commodity or material of real value. As the witness we have just quoted told the Commission, some of thosa who sell shoddy sell in ignorance and goo:l faith; but all the same the buyer gives good money for bad boots, and thereby becomes a loser. If he paid in spurious coin he would be prosecuted, yet the man who sells the spurious article escnpes soot-free. This is most unjust. The wonder is that all buyers do not league together to protect themselves; but it will come to this unless the State, in the meantime, goes effectively to their aid in this very important matter.