SHODDY FOOTWEAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16497, 1 August 1924, Page 9

SHODDY FOOTWEAR.

COMPLAINTS TO MINISTER

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

Further complaint in regard to the sale of shoddy footwear was made to the Minister of Labor this morning, by a- (deputation .representing the Boot Manufacturers’ Association and the Boot Trade Federation, comprising employers and operatives respectively. Both in their own interests and in the interests of the general public the deputation asked that- legislation be introduced, prohibiting any boots and shoes of shoddy leather being offered for sale. Disappointment was expressed by Mr. A. Ross, president of the Manufacturers’ Association, that better results had not been achieved as the result of a conference held some time ago with inspectors of the. Labor Department.

The Minister said the use of certain materials other than leather was effective and quite permissible, and the Department. did not intend to lay it- down that footwear should be all leather. Mr. Ross said they merely wanted to be- on the same footing as manufacturers in the Old Country. Mr. C. A. Watts, secretary of the Employees’ Federation, referred to the number of unemployed in the> trade. The Hon. G. J. Anderson stated, in reply, that the proposition put to him was not- an easy one. He had inspected some of the children’s footwear that was being imported, and he agreed that it should be prohibited from entering the country, but it would be difficult to convince the House that shoddy in ladies’ ,shoe 9 should be prevented from comingin. Working, women demanded boots and shoes according to their purses. The Departmental officers were doing their utmost to protect the public. It was quite possible for children’s shoes to ho made of all leather, and vet- he more dangerous to the wearer than “compo” footwear. “From mv point of view,” he said, “the thing you ask is impracticable, except in the ' case of children’s footwear, and it is not going to be an easy matter to deal with. However, I will go into it with experts of the Department, and see what can be done.”