FOOTWEAR TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 9

FOOTWEAR TRADE

RETIREMENT OF PROMINENT MEMBER

One of the best-known figures in the footwear industry in New Zealand, Mr J. R. Luff, has been the guest of honour at several functions during the week on the occasion of his retirement. Mr Luff has been manager of the footwear factory of Ross and Glendining’s for the last 24 years, during which time he has been directly responsible for building up the factory into one of the largest of its kind in the country. He has been 60 years in the footwear trade, in which he started as a lad.

As president of the Federation of Footwear Manufacturers for some years, and chairman of the footwear trade group’s council in Dunedin, Mr Luff has taken an active part in the organisation of the industry, and appreciation of his services was shown in the many messages from other footwear executives which have been received during the week. The directors of the firm and the entire staff of the factory met Mr Luff early in the week, and he was presented with a fireside chair on behalf of the employees, representatives of the various departments mentioning the happy relationship which had always existed between Mr Luff and his staff and the fairness of his management. Mr J. Sutherland Ross expressed the high regard in which Mr Luff was held by the directors. A small presentation was also made •to Mr Luff by a gathering of the firm's departmental managers, and on Wednesday evening he was met by representatives of the tanneries arid allied trades from all over New Zealand, when a presentation of a travelling rug and case was made. A. warm tribute to Mr Luff’s fair management and judgment was paid by the secretary of the Footwear Trade Employees' Union. Mr W. C. McDonnell, who was one' of the speakers. Mr Luff will be succeeded as manager of the factory by his son. Mr H. J. Luff.