THE STANDARD BOOT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12755, 26 September 1919, Page 7

THE STANDARD BOOT.

PROMISE OF CHEAP FOOT- • WEAR. The price of hides, said Mr O. M. Oilivier at sitting of the. Conciliation Council, was controlled, and the price of leather was virtually controlled, although the farmers did not know it., They were very irate, however, as they thought they were being robbed by progteering. Some time ago, Mr Oilivier added, the tanning employers met the workers in regard to wages, and the employers, while sympathetic, conld not take the responsibility for an increase which wonld simply nave put up the cost of living, for the tanners were only a medium between tho producer and the Certain increases wore granted, and it was on the basis of these wages that the price of leather was being controlled. Within a couple of months the standardised boot would be brought out, showing a very great reduction in the price of boots. If the employers were called on to give a further increase in wages the whole thing would have to be reconstructed. Mr F. W. Ellis said that if other trades did likewise it wjould he all right. ' . “ That is the solution of the difficulty.” said Mr Oilivier. “ What about flour and soft goods profiteers,” said an assessor, “ and the things we have every day on our table?” Mr Oilivier replied that the boot bill for the man with a large family was the worst thing that had to he faced. “ What about repairs?” said an assessor. “ We have to do our own repairs now,” said another.