THE BOOT TRADE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 11

THE BOOT TRADE.

POSITION IN DOMINION. Prtf A<t.c:a:ic7\. HASTINGS, April 29. Giving evidence before the Industries Committee, Mr BurfieM, a local boot manufacturer, who hail for 10 Tears been manager of a boot factory in England, said that it was a waste of time trying to standardise boots, owing to the change of fashions and fancies. The day of cheap English boots had l»one forever. The only way to reduce tfce price of footwear in New Zealand ma to keep hides in the country. Ex J port resulted in England and America picking the best of the leather, and reexporting the "wasters" to the colonies at high priees. Hides should not be •hipped, but largo tanneries should be established close to New Zealand freezing works. The Government should assist in "research, and works should be equipped with the best machinery. The, fanner would then get a better price, and the manufacturer --ould get his •applies at first-h' "rices would have to be fixed so - ivc a reasonable profit on eapit: invested after allowing for the cost of production. The industry would find considerable employment for returned soldiers, besides filing New Zealand's requirements for leather, and possibly making the Dominion an exporting country. New Zealand could produce the best leather ia the world, because it had the best bides. The durability of New Zealandsade boots and shoes was far ahead of those made in Australia, 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 working conditions in the factory there were Meal. The employees were not treated as wage slaves.