STANDARD BOOTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 28

STANDARD BOOTS

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. CHRISTCHURCH, January 15. At a meeting of the Executive of tho Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association to-day tho following resolution was carried: —" That a letter be written to tho Board of Trade asking if the board intends to fix the price of leather to boot manufacturers before it fixes tho price of standardised boots and shoes, and in the event of the price of leather being fixed to acquaint the boot manufacturers thereof; and that the board be informed that Christchurch, as a boot manufacturing centre, has not yet had the opportunity to inspect the sample of the proposed standardised boots and shoes." WELLINGTON, January 17. . With the stoppage of urgent military demands, the boot manufacturers have been able to turn their attention to manufacturing for tho general public according to standardised patterns approved by the Board of Trade. The boot manufacturers now complain that the price of leather has been advanced since the standardisation scheme was first considered. The Minister has instructed the Board of Trade to inquire whether this increase 13 a fair one.

A CHRISTCHURCH PROTEST. CHRISTCHURCH, January 18. The following letter has been sent to the Minister in Charge of the Board of Trade in Wellington: "Dear Sir,—A meeting of local members of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association was held in this city yesterday, at which the question of standardised boots came up for discussion. Various articles have appeared in the publio press of lata referring to this subject, and also a notice that samples would be open for inspection by Christchurch manufacturers at a certain date. It has been publicly stated that samples of the proposed standardised boots have been on view in Christchurch. This is entirely incorrect. We understand that the samples Were brought to Christchurch with a view of being inspected by local manufacturers, but owing to the influenza epidemic they were not opened. It would appear that the standardised boot scheme (to which Christchurch manufacturers show no hospitality) was a war measure; but are boots to be the only commodity standardised for price and quality? We desire to bring under your notice the fact that the price of sole leather in Australia has been fixed at Is B£d per lb, whereas we in New Zealand are paying 2s 2d per lb. We are of the opinion that the public is looking not only for a standardised boot, but for a substantial reduction in the cost. Thi3 is quite impossible unless the price of leather is reduced. We would therefore respectfully . suggest for your consideration that the price of leather be fixed by the Board of Trade before anything is done with the manufacture or retailing of the boots. ON THE MARKET IN MARCH. WELLINGTON, January 20. The soheme for the manufacture of standardised boots is "being opposed by some of the bootmakers on the ground that, now the war is over, the scheme is no longer needed. The boot manufacturers suggest that the Government should first regulate the price of leather, and also that the boot trade should not be the only industry to suffer this interference. The Hon Mr MacDonald (president of the Board of Trade) said yesterday that he thought this was the • chief difficulty at present. . . ~ " Prior to the signing of the armistice, said the Minister, "I understand that the majority of the boot manufacturers were in favour of the scheme. The working up of the scheme to its present state has taken much time and effort, and the members of the Board of Trade are of opinion that it will be in the interests of the people of the country to give effect to it. Immediately the board returns to Wellington we hope to have something definite done. We are advised by Mr Ward, the expert who has been assisting the Board of Trade in this matter, that it should be possible to have these • standardised boots on the market about March next, but there are so many difficulties that haste is undesirable. It would be better to delay things for a month, if by so doing wo could ensure that we could float it with a fjood prospect of success. I understand that there will be a conference of boot manufacturers in Dunlin on Wednesday next, at which Mr Ward will be present as one of the delegates from Wellington. The conference will consider the Government proposals. We have not yet decided at what price tho boots will be sold."