CHEAP FOOTWEAR IN THE EAST

Southland Times, Issue 23408, 15 January 1938, Page 4

CHEAP FOOTWEAR IN THE EAST

LOW COST OF LABOUR PAIR OF WALKING SHOES FOR 7/- OR 8/(Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, January 14. “One of the things which impresses the visitor to the East is the amazing cheapness of manufactured goods,” said Mr C. S. Thomas, of Christchurch, who returned from a visit to Singapore and the Dutch East Indies by the Swartenhondt. Mr Thomas, who was accompanied by his wife and two daughters, has been absent from the Dominion for several months. The low prices were the natural consequence of the extremely cheap labour and it was hard to see, as manufacturers increased, how old costs could stand, he said. Boots provided an example of cheap products. A perfectly good and serviceable pair of walking shoes could be obtained for 7/- or 8/-, and the price of women’s footwear was unbelievable.

“So far the full blast of competition from this source had not been felt in New Zealand, but when it is one wonders what will happen to this particular New Zealand secondary industry, Mr Thomas added. “Obviously the industry cannot compete and maintain the present high standard of living. There is only one solution and that is the total prohibition of imports, but such a policy might have a very disastrous repercussion for the Dominion. Mr Thomas said the boot industry in the East was gradually getting into the hands of Czechoslovakians, but other items were on a similar cost basis, such as Japanese cycles and clothes.