THE PRICE OF BOOTS.

Mataura Ensign, 22 July 1914, Page 5

THE PRICE OF BOOTS.

FARMERS' TJXIOX DISCUSSION

TEE UNITED PKESS ASSOCIATION,

WEiddNCTON, July 21

A discussion on tariff -lnattem arose at the Farmers' Union Conference on the Auckland remit urging the Dominion executive ''ta watch closely any attempt by interested parties to further increase the Customs duties."

Captain Col beck (Auckland) said that it cost the country £276,278 to loiter the hoot trad. 1 . The average wages of the. men amounted to 7s 3d daily and of women to 3s lid. The. wlioU' .)[ the wages earned amounted to Cli/7.793, and if Hie country decided to pav the whole of the wages and let Hie boot operatives sit idle a saving of C/S,B7!J would bo elfceled aunuailiy. The average duty on b;iots was 31 percent and to this must ho added freight and landing'charges. Hoots costing Ss !\l in Eudaud could lilt be sold in New Zeabmd at less tlr.lll 17s u'd. Tii-'j Hinil was cairod.