QUALITY AND PRICES OF FOOTWEAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 5 July 1943, Page 3

QUALITY AND PRICES OF FOOTWEAR

. I To the Editor J Sir, —The Executive of the Bureau of Importers has read with considerable interest the statement made by Mr E. R. Norman, president of the New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers' Federation, wherein he tried to explain away the use of cardboard by New Zealand manufacturers. The Bureau would like to point out that it has always very actively opposed the total prohibition of the importation of leather footwear from Great Britain. Our Labour Government, however, decided in favour of the local manufacturers, and granted them a complete monopoly. Since they have had this monopoly, it is a well-known fact that the quality of leather footwear generally in this country has deteriorated, and now that we have war conditions it is worse than ever. It is quite unjust and unfair for Mr Norman to cast reflections on leather footwear which was imported many years ago, and to infer that the shoddy stuff which the public is now obtaining is manufactured in United Kingdom or Canada. We would like to point out to the public of this country that when our Labour Government grants a monopoly to secondary industry, they pay the penalty of having to purchase | goods of low quality at prices which | have been raised out of all proportion.— ! I am etc., A. M. DOULL, Secretary, Bureau of Importers (Inc.) i Auckland, 25th June.