SHODDY FOOTWEAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19240, 2 August 1924, Page 12

SHODDY FOOTWEAR

PROHIBITION REQUESTED. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF LABOUR. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 1. Further complaint in regard to the sale of shoddy footwear was made to tho Minister of Labour (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) fell is morning by a deputation representing the Boot Manufacturers’ Association and the Boot Trade Federation, comprising employers and operatives respectively. Both in thoir own interests and in tho interests of tho general public tho deputation asked that legislation be introduced prohibiting any boots and shoes of shoddy leather being offered for sale. Disappointment was expressed bv Mr A. Ross (president of the Manufacturers’ Association) that bettor results had'not been achieved as a result of tho conference hold some time ago with tho inspectors of the Labour Department. Tho Minister said the use of certain materials other than leather was effective and quite perrnissablo, and the department did not intend to lay it down that footwear should bo all leather. Mr Ross said they merely wanted to bo on tho same footing as the manufacturers in tho Old Country. Mr Anderson stated that the propositoin put to him was not an easy one. lie had inspected some of the children’s footwear that was being imported, ami ho agreed that it should ho prohibited from entering tho country, but it would be difficult to convince the House that shoddy ladies’ shoos should be prevented from coming in. Working women demanded boots and shoes according to their purses. The departmental officers were doing their utmost to protect the public. It was quite possible for children’s shoes to be made of all-leather and yet bo more dangerous to the wearer than “ccmpo” footwear. “From my point of view,” he said, “the thing you ask is impracticable except in the case of children’s footwear, and it is not going to bo an easy matter to deal with. However, I dial! go into it udth tho experts of the department and see what can bo done.”