FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 279, 24 October 1940, Page 9

FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY.

I SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT. Per Press Association. CHIUSTCHUKCH, Oct. 23. Some interesting figures l* garding the footwear industry have just been issued, said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) to-day. The figures, of course, relate to the year ended March 31., 1940, and they show that there has been a marked increase in the volume of production. For the year 1939-40 the number of pairs of boots, shoes and slippers manufactured went over the four millions mark and is an appreciable advance on the previous peak production established in 1938-39.

Actually over 800,000 extra pairs were produced daring the year, the respective figures being 3,222,118 and 4,093,181 pairs. Some 3731 operatives were employed during 1939-40,'an increase of 21 per cent, over the previous year.

The cost of materials used, said Mr Sullivan, had increased by 31 per cent., bringing the amount involved to £960,501, while the added value rose by 45 per cent., or a total amount of £905,819. Salaries and wages paid increased to £641,331, an increase of 32 per cent.; the number of establishment* increased by one, bringing the total to 17.

The statistics reveal, Mr Sullivan said, that there has been an increased demand for and the use of New Zealand leather as there has been also for imported .leathers. The value of New Zealand leather used has risen from £348,194 in 1937-38 and £356,054 in 1938-39 to £465,285 in 1939-40. In the same period imported leathers used rose from £161,874 to £204,151. The total value of the materials used rose from £113,709 in 1937-38 to £960,501 in 1939-40.