DEFICIENT IN LEATHER

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12197, 23 July 1925, Page 4

DEFICIENT IN LEATHER

DEFECTIVE FOOTWEAR BUSINESS FIRMS CHARGED. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, July 22. Five firms were charged at the Police Court to-day with having in their possession shoes, the soles and heels of which consisted partly of leather without/a statement of the materials comprising the same being conspicuous and lightly stamped upon or impressed into such article. Pleas of guilty were entered in most cases the explanation being that the goodß were purchased per agent and that it was very difficult to detect the defect. Evidence was given by one of the defendants respecting the 'identity of “all leather” and “eompo” footwear. The defendant stated that, he had thirty-two years’ experience, and ho held that there was no infallible test as to whether the stiffener of a shoe was of leather of of good “compo,” but good “compo” 1 was always better than inferior leather. Women disliked all leather heels which they condemned as being “heavy as lead.” In easily nine-tenths of the fine footwear made to-day the heels were of “compo.” The magistrate treated the cases as test ones, and remarked that the public must he protected in accordance with the terms of the Act. He inflicted small penalties in several instances.