SOLDIERS’ BOOTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ BOOTS

To the Editor, "N.Z. Times.”

Sir, —In reply to Mr Hutchison, secretary, Bootmakers’ Union, I am pleased to see him at last drop his indifference ro the above. I gave him the cue at Mr Luke’s meeting at Newtown before last election, when X termed the soldiers’ boots as tripe, and your paper was sincere in taking it up and Mr Hutchison severely left it alone. He would like to attach the blamo to the unscrupulous manufacturer, which I do not agree with, although I hold no brief for them. The Defence authorities ate to blame, and, it given the opportunity, I could prove it, as Colonel Purdy stated these boots wore so good that tho Home authorities had copied the New Zealand sample. Ho also states I misrepresented the Home regulation boot being welted. X quote from the sample I saw, and can show- Mr Hutchison the same sample it he wishes. Du-rox or Dri-ped is obtain- | able in this country. I use it every day

and if it is not in sufficient quantity it could bo got from Home by the Defence authorities no doubt. Colonial leather is often despised. Had wo a mind to we could; make as good leather here as other countries, as we have as good men and brains. I would like to suggest to my fellow tradesmen that are working on soldiers’ boots to become agreed to refuse to make any other but good boots for our boys, as the Germans use gas to bring on bronchitis and lung troubles. These shoddy boots are the cause of bringing the same disease on our own soldiers at Trentham. Mr Editor. I would Eke to draw Mr Hutchison’s attention to a bill passed in the House before last election called The Shoddy Footwear Bill, to protect tho public from being exploited by unscrupulous manufacturers. There is being used here extensively at the present time in children’s sandals, boots and shoes a leather called split solo which is the flesh part of the hide. It is really no better than cardboard or compo. for wear or damp-resisting. Yet one cannot deny It is not leather, and it gives unscrupulous traders the opportunity to brand boots madte of this shoddy "guaranteed alt solid leather.” This is as important as good footwear for our soldiers, and 1 would like to see a protest made to wipe this shoddy leather out of the market as onr children are the foundation of the Empire, and it is only doing out duty to see that we have a fine strong, healthy man and womanhood growing up. X am sorry to say Mr Wilford was quite right in saying in tho House the other dav our boots were going up in price. I will add a Ettle more and say the quality is going down. It would bo very gratifying to me, Mr Editor, if X could say our boots were as good ngw as they were years ago.—l am, etc., ' GOBDWAINBE. •