STANDARDISED BOOTS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 17, 22 January 1919, Page 8

STANDARDISED BOOTS.

MANUFACTURERS APPROACH the; minister. ■ (United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 18. The following letter has been sent to the Minister in Charge of the Board of Trade, Wellington“ Dear Sir,—A meeting of local' members of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers’ Association was held in this city yesterday, at which the question of _ standardised boots came up for discussion. Various articles have appeared in the public Sprees of late referring to this subject, and we also notice that it said that samples would be open for inspection by Christchurch manufacturers at a certain date. It has' been publicly stated that samples of the proposed standardised boots have been on view in Christchurch, This is entirely incorrect. We understand) the samples were brought to Christchurch with a view of inspection by local manufacturers, but owing to the influenza epidemic these were not opened. It would appear that the standardised boot scheme (to which Christchurch manufacturers show no hostility) was a war measure, but are boots to be the only commodity standardised for price and quality? We desire to bring under your notice the fact that the price of sole leather in Australia has been fixed at Is B£d., whereas we in New Zealand are paying 2s 2d per lb. We are of opinion that the public is looking for not only _ a standardised boot, but for a substantial reduction in cost. This is quite impossible unless the price of leather is reduced. We would therefore respectfully suggest for your consideration that, the price of leather be fixed by the Board of Trade before anything is done with fhe manufacture or retailing of the boots,”