STANDARDISED BOOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17267, 17 September 1919, Page 10

STANDARDISED BOOTS.

MANUFACTURER'S VIEWS. / CHECK TO LOCAL PRODUCTION. [Br TELEORAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHKISTCHtTRCH. Tuesday. la connection with the manufacture of standardised boote, Mr. J. A. Frostick, late Commissioner of the Canterbury Efficiency Board, and a member of the boot manufacturing firm of SkeHon, Frostick and Co., said he knew nothing of a proposed conference in Wellington '■ concerning standard boots. "I don't mind saying," he added, "that while I see no reason to oppose the scheme, nothing is likely to be done to reduce the manufacturers' profits, because ' the boot industry is, and has been, one of the ' poorest profit-making businesses conducted on a large scale 'in the Dominion. The grosß profits as«*hown in the last census returns, those of . 1916, i were ■ one-third per cent, more than those of the previous census period. I The trade in the 1911 census showed a lower gross profit than was shown in | either Australia or America for the earn© I period. These countries are considered as ' being the nearest to the New Zealand standard of living so far as the war period i is concerned. Whatever extra costs were incurred though freights, non-productive wages, and general overhead charges came out of the 1.3 per cent extra gross profit. "Of course it must be understood that I am dealing with Dominion figures and not with those of any one particular firm. From the manufacturer's point of ■view there is no objection to standardised boots, but from the public viewpoint it is certain that men and women will be likely to hold different views. "With regard to ordinary clothing there is a strong opposition to standard pattern in - this country is such that people are likely to resent interference in this matter, or at least will not avail themselves of the opportunity of being clothed and booted according to Government pattern, which, j in effect, would be the parading of their personal economy. I "My opinion, " concluded Mr. Frostick, " is that if the principle of standardisation is adopted, it will act as a check to local production by a corresponding encouragement of imported goods upon ' which there are not likely to be any restrictions, either as to style or ouality. Whatever the future development may be i no one knows."