THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 20

THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE

SITTING AT HASTINGS. HASTINGS, April 29. Giving evidence before the Industries Committee, Mr Burfield, a local boot manufacturer, and for 10 years manager of a boot factory in England, said it would be a waste of time trying to standardise boots, owing to the change of fashions and fancies. The day of cheap English boots had gone for ever. The only way to reduce the price of footwear in New Zealand was to keep the hides in the country. Export resulted in England and America picking the best leather, and re-exporting "wasters" to the colonies at high prices. Hides should not be shipped, but large tanneries should be established close to the New Zealand freezing works. The Government should assist in research, and works should be equipped with the best machinery. The farmer would then get a better price, and the manufacturer would obtain his supplies at first hand. The price would have to be fixed, so that a reasonable profit on the capital invested, after allowing for the cost of production, might bs made. The industry would find considerable employment for returned soldiers, besides filling New Zealand's requirements for leather and possibly making the dominion an exporting country. New Zealand con let produce the best leather in the world, because it had the best hides. The durability of New Zealand-made boots was far ahead of Australian, and, given good sole leather, such as could be produced in our ' own tanneries, our manufacturers would produce as good boots as were obtainable in any part of the world. Even now boots made in Auckland were second to none, and the working conditions in the factory there were ideal. The employees were not treated as wage slaves. EVIDENCE AT PALMERSTON NORTH. PALMERSTON N., April 29. Before the Industries Commission to-day Mr J. A. Nash gave evidence as to the value of the by-products obtained from . wood. He stated that from one cord of rata wood £56. worth of acid, 16s worth of oil, 15s worth of tar, and £lO worth of charcoal could be obtained. He pointed out that any wood could be used —even sawdust. A company was being formed to carry on the work here. He asked that the plant be admitted duty free. Captain Price stated that dyes could be obtained from native woods and have been used by the Maoris for dying flax mats. He suggested a scientific investigation by the Government. Mr J. M. Johnson suggested that the Government should make experiments with. English hemp in suitable districts. He advocated a geological survey of the dominion to locato coal and minerals where they were in payable quantities. Mr White urged the planting of American poplars for box manufacture. Mr M. A. Elliott urged that the Government should assist in producing by-pro-ducts from wool scouring. Mr A. Seiferi; the necessity for the cultivation of flax planting with Goveminent assistance in order to expand the Industry. Ho suggested experiments on State farms. Mr F. J. Nathan urged the necessity for the foundation of a dairy school for scientific research into dairy problems.