LEATHER AND “COMPO”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19365, 23 July 1925, Page 5

LEATHER AND “COMPO”

BOOT SELLERS FINED. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, July 22. Five firms wen' charged at the Police Court to-day with having in their possession shoes, the soles and heels of which consisted partly of leather without a statement of the materials comprising some being conspicuous and lightly stamped upon or impressed into such article. Pleas of guilty were entered in most cases, the explanation being that the goods were purchased per an agent and that it was very difficult to detect. Evidence was given by on? of th? de fondants respecting th*' identity of “all leather” and “compo” footwear. The defendant stated that he had thirty-two years’ experience, and he held there was no infallible test as to whether th? stiffener of a’shoe was of leather or of good “compo,” but good “compo” was always better than inferior leather. Women disliked all leather heels, which they condemned as being “as heavy as lead.” In easily nine-tenths of the fine footwear made to-day the heels were of ‘ ‘ compo. ’ ’ The magistrate treated the cases as n test one, and, remarking that the pub lie must be. protected in accordant-? w’ith the terms of th? Act. inflicted small penalties in several instances.