PRICE OF BOOTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10540, 17 March 1920, Page 5

PRICE OF BOOTS

'SOME COMPARISONS

MINISTERIAL REPLY TO MB WARD'S STATEMENT.

"With reference to the statements made by Mr Ward in his address before the Industrial Association," said the Hpn. W. Nosworthy to a "New Zealand Times" reporter yesterday, "it must be made perfectly clear that no officer of the department, chief or otherwise, is in the slightest degree antagonistic to,, the secondary industries.* It is not proposed to discuss the question of standard boots beyond remarking that -these were talked about for many months before they finally made their appearance at the time "the embargo was lifted. The allegations regarding hoarding of hides have already been dealt with, but it may he reiterated that hides were withheld from sale because sellers werfc profoundly dissatisfied with the previously existing state of affairs, and believed that tho general public was not getting its full measure of benefit from the embargo. The position was finally emphasised 'by a complete cessation of auction sales from December onwards. All this constitutes a very different thing from hoarding. COST OF PRODUCTION. "Mr Ward has gone fully into the question of the cost of production of boots under the new order of things. There is no intention of criticising this at the moment, as the figures require analysis by an expert, and it is not clear as to why an advance in the cost of leather necessitates an increased cost being shown in respect of every other item. But it must bo realised that the interests of the hoot purchaser under tlie " new order of things will not ibe overlooked.

IMPO-RTED AUSTRALIAN BOOTS. "Now, as to boots imported from Australia and New Zealand hides exported to the. Commonwealth, the figures have already -bcon. published, and need not' hero be reiterated in detail. Australia's embargo on hides was raised as long ago as May of last year, and, as was shown in this detailed statement, the Commonwealth imported 115,791 hides and 41,023 calfskins, valued at £"288,976 and £22,081 respectively, from New Zealand during the whole of that year. It is not suggested that individual hides have been followed up and shown to be converted into leather and afterwards into boots which have come back to New Zealand; but the fact remains that we have exported to Australia hides bought at current market values, and have imported a large quantity of boots which have been able to compete with boots of our own manufacture, and this after paying a duty of: Boys' and girls', 6d per pair, plus 15 per cent, ad valorem; youths' and women's, Is per pair, plus 15 per cent, ad valorem; men's, Is 6d per pair, plus. 15 per cent, ad valorem. In addition to which an extra primage duty of 1 per cent, is levied. "SUPERIOR IN QUALITY."

"Mr "Ward says that the statement that Australian-made boots were sold cheaper than New Zealand-made boots in tho local market As inaccurate/' continued the Minister. "Reliable evidence was obtained that in October last, while the embargo was in full operation, men's . boots and ladies' shoes, somewhat superior in quality to tho New Zealand-manufactured article, were landed in New Zealand at less cost than the importer could secure the New Zealand-made article. The respective prices of two classes of 'boots shown were: Australian 265, including duty; New Zealand, 28s. Instances are also known in ■which retail purchasers of boots have, since the NewYear, bought at a cheaper price those of Australian make in to the New Zealand product, the choice being made not on account of the lesser cost, but because the purchaser liked the imported boot better. Further, at the hide conference held in January, the following statement was made: "There is no doubt there are certain "boots, Australian boots, sold to-day cheaper than the New Zealand hoot." No delegate from the manufacturing interests questioned this statement. It is regretted that circumstances should have necessitated this apparent criticism of the New Zealand trader, but misconceptions .must not bo allowed to arise.

i "It would be an excellent thing for the Dominion if wo could be entirely independent of boot importations; but we cannot be so at present, and in the meantime the best course in the interests of all concerned must be followed."