THE BOOT AND SHOE TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 17

THE BOOT AND SHOE TRADE.

Referring to the new tariff and the likely increases in duty resulting therefrom, a prominent representative of the boot and shoe trade- stated to a Times reporter on the 22nd that the boot and shoe trade would most assuredly suffer most, especially in regard to the medium and lower-c'.aes artic'.es, such a^ slippers ranging from Is 6d to 4s 6d, and women's shoe;, ranging , from 3s 6J to 6-. 6d. " Goods of this class," i it was stated, "are indispensable both to trade and public alike. They are lines that cannct be made in the colony, and ie is better for th« colony that such is the ] case, as it means a class of labour that ; uould not suit our colonial girls and men. It is hard to get operatives now, and it would be harder still if such a branch were introduced. The goods can only be made in countries possei«ing large populations, j where the machinery can be kept going practically day and night, so as to get the article in at a price that is in keeping with . the pockets of 'medium' and poor people, j To the purchaser of such articles the value, i especially in felt slippers, is marvellous, the wearer getting three to six months' wear out of a pair. As it will be absolutely necessary to stock these lines, the buyer will, 1 with the new order of things, have to pay j 100 per cent, to 125 per cent, more, while '

those people who are better off, and who purchase a superior article, will be able' to' obtain what they require .at a less figure than before. Thief. seems unfair. The Government has been ill-advised in dealing with this section of the trade. As regards men's and women's sorts at from 10s to 12s per pair, the tariff is in favour of the "colonial product, and it is a good things too, as sp!endid work ia.-bei&g <kme< in New Zealand, %ijd it, can he -greatly " improved. The impost ought to considerably assist the boot trust." Word received from Wellington on the 22nd stated the likehilood of special expert opinion being framed and placed before the Minister of Customs in regard to the lines; affected. An importer has handed ue some striking figures showing the effect of the proposed duty on medium-pricecf footwear/in", whiththe bulk of the trade is done,: —

8^ Or nearly 300 p.c. 300 p.c. 400 p.c. 300 p.c. On the high-grade lines, he says, there is hardly any difference—in fact, in some instances the new tariff works out below the old one. It is the working man who is particularly affected. It has been suggested that the low , lines of footwear are being penalised in order to assist a combination of northern manufacturers to secure a monopoly in the trade.

■S - * -i I & I a £ £ <§ *. d b. d. §.' a. s. a. Fnvoicc cost ..6.0 4 0 0 8 18 Datj 15 p.c, phte 10 p.c... 10 0 8 0 li. 03J Fixed duty. .. 16 .10 0 6 06 Freight & other • - ' ■ -charges. ..-..08 06 01 02 9 2 6 2 1 4i 2 7i Wholesale profit 24 16J04 08 11 6.- 7 8i 1 8i 3. 3J Retailer's profit 5 9 3 101 010 * 7 * 17 3. H 6J 2 6J -4toi