BOOTS AND LEATHER.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1977, 19 November 1921, Page 3

BOOTS AND LEATHER.

EFFECT OF THE TARIFF. AUCKLAND, November 16, One of the leading authorities in Auckland, questioned to-night as to the effect the new tariff would have upon the cost of leather to New Zealand manufacturers and as to the cost of imported leather, said the tariff had been increased on some lines and reduced on others. This would even up matters to a large extent, and the cost to manufacturers would be very much as before, with possibly a slight increase when averaged out. The tariff on repairing leather had been about doubled, and this would possibly lead small boot repairers to raise their charges as they would have to pay more. It was unlikely that there would be any immediate advance in the cost of local leather to manufacturers —for the present at any rate — as the market was somewhat dull. This authority did not care to have his name mentioned, when discussing the outlook at the present juncture. Another authority, referring to the question of the price of boots to the public, said the cost of living would undoubtedly be increased under this head, but not very much. The “smaller” man, on the other hand, as against the, above opinion, hinted at rumours of advancing in the cost of leather, but remarked that at present he was hardly able to discuss the question with any certainty. DUNEDIN, November 16. The managers of two leading boot manufacturing Arms with very large outputs, when asked whether the new duty on leather would raise the price of leather to boot manufacturers, answefed that it would make very little difference. Number 1 said it would only raise the price of leather in the following lines: Box calf, willow calf boots (American and Australian), and East India kip (English). There was no need, however, he said to import box calf, as New Zealand tanners could make quite a good article, and East India kip could be easily replaced by New Zealand-made kip. Number 2 said that on imported leather the new duty would make a difference in some cases of >7 per cent, and a little more in other cases, but it did not affect local stuff. The new duty on leather, it is generally stated, will make very little difference in the price of boots. The Christchurch “Press” has received from a responsible man in the boot manufacturing business a statement which we are permitted to reproduce, leaving blank the name of the leather and the duty paid:—“My Arm’s Customs clerk told me that he cleared a line of (a certain leather) yesterday under the new tariff, the duty being (a certain sum), which under the old tariff would have been cleared at (a sum only onetwentieth of the former). This extra cost on leather must have the effect pf reducing the protection on boots made from the same material, and'so on.”