GUMBOOT POSITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25565, 19 June 1944, Page 6

GUMBOOT POSITION

GOOD ALTERNATIVE FOOTWEAR AMPLE SUPPLIES AVAILABLE The fiftieth annual report of the National Dairy Federation reported in these columns on Saturday last relative to the Government embargo on importations of gumboots, and the strong feeling of disgust by the federation at the general muddle and the faulty and in some cases the irreparable condition of the gumboots may or may not have some degree of merit, but there does not appear to be any reason for the general alarm by the, federation because of the lack of suitable footwear. While it may be conceded that gumboots have had a popular demand, it must also be conceded that there is a type of footwear with wooden soles that give to the farmer and dairy worker a guarantee of dry feet under wet and sloppy conditions, and, further, this statement is borne out by those who have been wearing them who are loud in their praises of the comfortable warmth they give in cold and wintry conditions. Mr A. J. Smiley, principal of Smiley Bros., of this city, who are the manufacturers of this type of footwear, states that throughout the world to-day, and particularly in the Old Country, more and more people are turning to wooden-soled boots that obviate that cold and clammy condition of the feet peculiar to some types of footwear. It will be readily admitted that these people are contributing in no small way to the war effort by the conservation of rubber supplies for more important production. Mr Smiley, who is a returned soldier of four years’ absence from New Zealand, has recently returned from overseas, states that no farmer or dairy workers or any other industrial workers need go without being comfortable and dry and well shod in wooden-soled waterproof boots if they will take the trouble to call upon any of the 42 shops of Messrs R. Hannah and Co., or of the 26 shops of Messrs Hallenstein Bros., or any of the shops of Messrs W. Harris and Son throughout New Zealand, or any other wide-awake distributor of quality footwear. Country storekeepers having inquiries can obtain supply by communicating direct with their warehouses or with Smiley Bros, of this city, who will guarantee service and complete satisfaction.—l 9-6.