THE BOOT TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11736, 25 January 1924, Page 11

THE BOOT TRADE

CONFERENCE SOCIAL LOYALTY TO NEW ZEALANDMADE GOODS. There was a fair attendance at a social gathering at Scott’s last evening in connection with the annual conference of the New Zealand Boot Manui facturers’ Association. Mr A. Ross, president, was in the chair. Following the loyal toast, that of “The Trade” was proposed by Mr R. T. Bailey, Inspector of Factories. Although not in the trade at the present time, he had spent his early life in it, having been apprenticed with Mr Williams. He was sorry the trade was not in the flourishing condition it should be, and that there was not the : loyalty to the local manufacturers that ; there should he. Twenty years ago jthey could compete with anything imported. He was a great believer in “Made in New Zealand,” and if manufacturers and trades unionists would only get together and inculcate loyalty to goods made in the Dominion, much good would accrue to trade. So far as workmanship was concerned, New Zealand workers could hold their own. He hoped the time would soon come when the trade would gain that recognition it deserved. The name of Mr J. B. France was coupled with the toast. THE VALUE IS THERE. Mr Frame, replying, said that Ml Bailey had struck a true note in speaking of loyalty to New Zealand products. In Australia they were more loyal to tboir own products, but they in New Zealand must press on with their propaganda work until they achieved success. There had been dumping from, other markets, hut from indications at Home the workmen Would have to get higher wages, which possibly indicated a silver lining to the oload which overhung the trade in New Zealand. He had been .to England and could say in comparison that New Zealand workmen and manufacturers compared favourably with any in the world. The products of the New Zealand manufacturer were a credit to xhem, aud although the price was higher the value was there. There was a discussion some time back owing to cardboard”being ÜBed in the imported boots. Notwithstanding tho many difficulties he hoped they would gradually surmount them. The manufac tured article was taxed as was the raw material, but they must not be downhearted. SECONDARY INDUSTRIES NECESSARY.

The president 'said they belonged to tho secondary industries of the Dominion, which some pieople thought should not exist at all. 'Kiey could not all be primary producers or there would be a surplus on the market without the demand to consume it. As industrialists they should go for a measure of protection. Australia and America did so, keeping out competitors aud enabling them to devote their attention to New Zealand. Therefore they were within their rights in demanding a similar measure of protection. A country which bad not progressed beyond primary production was still in the bottle stage. They were now in the machine age, for man through the ages had developed through the secondary industries. To the extent that a country developed her secondary industries wae its progress measured. England, France. Germany and Japan had advanced by building up their secondary industries. Although England was paying tho ponolty to-day for sacrificing her primary industries entirely to the secondary industries. which had largely brought about the large proportion of unem ployment. There are many people handling and distributing imported articles, whereas if they were producing those articles the < ountrv would develop accordingly. The way ali countries had achieved greatness was by a measure of protection. Tho speaker quoted the effect of protection in certain countries in regard to certain ar tides, and said he could not see why the public should be frightened of protection, which was necessary not only for their own trade hut for other secondary industries. Other toasts were “Visiting Delegates,” “The Workers’’ and “The Retailers.” i A pfcusant evening was spent, songs and recitations being contributed by the company present.'