BOOT TRADE SOCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18073, 24 April 1922, Page 8

BOOT TRADE SOCIAL.

CONDITIONS IN THE INDUSTRY The annual dinner and smoke social of the Auckland wholesale and retail boot trade was held in the Tiffin Tearooms on Saturday evening, ©very branch of the industry being represented. Mr. J, W. Davidson presided. The loyal toast having been honoured, Mr. T. Clarke, president of the Boot Retailers' Association, proposed the toast, "■ The Wholesale and Manufacturing Branches of the Trade," and commented on tba good feeling between the two organisations. He said they had all experienced an anxious time, but there were indications that normal trading conditions were approaching. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, in replying, said that during the past year the huge stocks held by practically every warehouse in the Dominion had been cleared, in most cases at a loss. This was necessary on account of the financial stringency prevailing. These conditions were not confined to New Zealand, but obtained throughout the world, and in all trades and businesses, the international conferences held had tended and would tend to better conditions politically, commercially, and socially. The raw materials used in tho leather trade had a firming tendency; finance was easier, and an era of normal trading conditions was soon to be expected. Mr. H. Clark said gatherings of this kind did a. lot to cement the relations between all branches of the trade. He suggested that conferences should be held frequently, to discuss trade problems. In proposing "The Retail Trade," Mr. E. Walton raid tho boot an! leather industry had contributed £1000 to the Protestant Orphans' Fund, the largest amount subscribed by any trade in Auckland. Messrs. H. Dearsly and W. Stone also spoke. Mr. F. Stone, in responding, said the retailers were now experiencing something of the slump which had affected the wholesale business-

Quite a number of other toasts were honoured. An excellent programme of songs and recitations was contributed, and the proceeding closed with the National Anthem and "Auld Lang Syne."