FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 120, 23 May 1931, Page 7

FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURE

OPENING FOR TRAINED MEN. TECHNICAL EDUCATION NEEDED. WELLINGTON, May 21. Jn the course of a report on the boot and shoe-making industry in New Zealand, which has been compiled for tht> Prime Minister by. Leading authorities, it is stated that there is a great lack of technical knowledge among the operatives in New Zealand of the mater ials they use. “At present there arc no ineahs by which this technical knowledge can be obtained,’ * states the report. "Bootmaking is not a full-time occupation for all operatives. As a result, thera is wastage of trained operatives which is not capable of being replaced by the apprenticeship system. At a normal busy season the demand. for. ‘ key ’ operatives exceeds the supply. This position hinders fulfilment of orders, resulting in orders being placed overseas. “When a designer or skilled craftsman is required,’ 1 continues the report, “it is generally the case that a person is brought to New Zealand to fill the position. With some means of technical education or training; these lucrative posts would be available to locally trained men. This would pro vide a future outlet for some of the youths leaving schools, an outlet at present closed to them.” The opinion is also expressed in the report that a thorough investigation or the present methods of marketing is desirable. "In some cases very high selling charges exist, and ’there is a great discrepancy between the whole sale and retail prices.”