NEW ZEALAND FOOTWEAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 96, 26 April 1938, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND FOOTWEAR

[ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, April 22.

The retailers’ associations have criticised very strongly the remarks of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, on the question of the tariff on footwear, says a statement issued hy the New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers’ Association to-night. The statement by the Minister is unassailable and we feel it. imperative that the present position should be summarised for the information of the public. (1) The New Zealand Footwear Manufacturers’ Association has given the public a pledge that, the price of New Zealand-made footwear will not be increased on account of the higherduty. This pledge is made possible by reason of the fact that an increased output means lower manufacturing costs-

(2) The manufacturers have not only kept this pledge, but have m certain cases reduced prices.

(3) Concerning children’s shoes and sandals the public has been badly misled if it believes it will be necessary to pay heavy increases in price on children’s shoes and sandals. New Zealand lines will be cheaper. New Zealand-made sandals, for instance, can now be offered at. lower prices made possible by increased output and orders are being booked on that basis. We can quote reductions up to nearly two shillings a pair on New Zealand-made shoes tor children.

(4) The parent who buys New Zea-land-made footwear for his children obtains value for his money, since the materials in the local article are the most honest and sound in the world.

The retailer who points to the increase in duty on certain importeu lines is stating the position correctly, but that increased cost is paid only by the purchaser of the imported article and not by the buyer of the I New Zealand shoe. There is no need, for the parent to pay an increased price for children's footwear manufactured in New Zealand. (6) The aim of the retailer is to provide shoes at as reasonable a price as possible for the public. He has to meet heavy expenses such as shop, rents and rates which do not make his task any easier. The public can assist by purchasing the New Zealand article which, with an increased output, can be marketed at lower prices.