THE BOOT TRADE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 61, 18 April 1914, Page 14

THE BOOT TRADE.

REPORT OF WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. ' MASTERS AND MEN AG-BEE. LACK OF LOCAL PATRIOTISM. The conference between the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association and the New Zealand Federated Boot Union, the whole of the trade in the Dominion, both employers and employees being represented, terminated in Wellington on Thursday. Mr J. A. Frostick and Mr G. R. "Whiting, both of Christchurch, were delegated to give an official report to the Press. Mr Frostick, who has returned to ■Christchurch, .says that the importance ■of the conference cannot well be exaggerated, the questions discussed being final to one of the biggest trades in the country. In particular, the Government, the banks, and all others who were in touch with the position, were warning the people of New Zealand of the dangers of over-importation. The following official report was arrived- at . unanimously, and was published in the Wellington journals yes"terday:— '' The representatives of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association -and of the.New Zealand Federated Boot 'Trades' Union have been sitting in conference for the past two days for the

purpose of discussing matters relating ~t© the boot and shoe industry of this

Dominion. The questions which are usually discussed between, these two bodies have not been touched upon, the discussion having been entirely of a general character relating to the industry as a whole, and not to any particular section. A unanimous decision was arrived at on every point regarding casual or intermittent employment. Wherever it exists it is detrimental to the employer and the worker, and when it assumes a serious aspect it becomes a public question, its effects being felt outside the industry. It was agreed that an endeavour should always be made in such cases to remove the cause. There are some classes of employment that arc strictly seasonal where it may be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to provide an effective remedy; but the boot and shoe industry is not >one of this class, because footwear is in daily use by every person in the Dominion. SELFISH INDIFFERENCE. ''The position of the boot trade lias for many years been unsatisfactory, but it has culminated in the most serious results with which the tra.de is. now faced. The distress and inconvenience that has taken place would never have occuried but for the selfish indifference of th' 1 people who live in the country, and who do not appreciate the duties of citizenship, which should be to support the industries of tl.eir own country, and not give preference to the goods produced in foreign countries. it was iigreed that it was at this point that the crux of the present difficulty is to be found. New Zealand is not singular in this respect. Australian employers uid Avorkmen are also complaining bitterly, and are openly advocating drastic remedies to meet the difficulty. Ju that country, containing five million people, fct)00,0()0 worth, of foreign-made footwear was imported last year, and in New Zealand, with one million, nearly £"!u0,000 worth of foreign-made boots and shoes were imported. Worked out on a population basis, this shows that we imported into, this Dominion ucarly three times the quantity of boots and shoes that Australia imported. This sort of thing cannot last without involvthe industries of the Dominion in disaster. Banks and oilier financial institutions and capable business men

have repeatedly raised a warning; indeed, the country has more than once passed . through financial stress of a grave nature due entirely to the overimportation of general merchandise. The boot manufacturers have carefully considered their own position, and have endeavoured to ascertain if any reasonable cause for the unsatisfactory conditions of the trade can be laid to their charge, because they, too, have duties to perform, such as providing suitable buildings, plant, methods of production, and close attention to business. All these things the New Zealand manufacturer has attended to. Indeed a much larger sum per worker is invested in buildings and plant in this Dominion than in Australia. The employers and the workmen both recognise that the public has a right to expect the best that can be done, but having obtained this the public should heartily support their own industries, and not simply tolerate their existence. EDUCATION REQUIBED. "During the discussion many suggestions were made, among these being that New Zealand goods should be more extensively advertised. It was agreed that this might help, and should be done, although large sums of money are already being spent annually in this way, more perhaps than the results have fully justified. The branding of goods made in New Zealand was also suggested. Neither party had any objection to this being done, but they were of opinion that some effective educational medium is required to give due prominence to our industries from a national standpoint. Increasing the duty was also considered, but the conference expressed the opinion that this might raise many difficulties, seme of which

might come from quite unexpected sources. It is a very dangerous thing to disturb the -financial policy of any country unless it is absolutely necessary. The general opinion was that the very first step to be taken was to endeavour to educate the public with regard to our own protection. New Zealand is essentially a country of workers, 7o per cent, at least living bv their labour. It is quite., clear thar iu the consumption of articles, not be jug luxuries, the makers consume 75 i>er 'ceut. of the total, and in the face of our importation figures the workers .must be held largely responsible for the present I difficulties. They certainly required education.

"There-is another aspect that cannot be overlooked, namely, that the great bulk of New Zealand-made goods are sold outside the centres of population. nm\ are used by the people employed in the primary industries who are com peting with the markets of the world. The figures show that the .general workers are not loyal to themselves 0" to the sources from which their livingis obtained It is perfectly true thai: our retail establishments are crowded with imported goods, but that is only cause and effect. The retailer cannot be expected to start a patriotic, campaign. It is not his business to do so. The remedy is in the hands of the masses, and it does not rest upon a comparatively small body of retailers to solve the difficulty. The conference was very emphatic that the lime had arrived when an attempt should be made to revive public interest in New Zealand industries. Our national prosperity is being threatened, and to avoid disaster a vigorous policy of industrial activity should bo adopted."