MILITARY BOOT WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3053, 14 April 1917, Page 11

MILITARY BOOT WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

QUESTION OF SUPPLIES., By Telegraph.—Press Association. j Auckland, April 1?. j The Military Service Board, at the request of' the Defence Department, "ranted a rehearing of the appeal ot Goorgo Thomas Rogers, boot importer, employed by Adam Moore, Ltd., who was granted an extension of timo, to show that the- boot trade could release more men of tho First Division- lor active service. • . ■ Major Conlon said it was evident that one big firm could handle all the military boot work in .New Zealand. Ho was going to suggest, on instructions reoeived, that there were eligible men doing private work for employers who could very well be spared. A lot ol high-priced and unnecessary hoots wore being manufactured for women to the disadvantage of. the military, authorities. Never before had thero been sunh extravagance, especially in women s footwear, owing to the shortness of skirts. It should be known that boots for this purpose were being made costing £3 10s. and more.' Evidence was given by a leading-boot manufacturer that no boot_ operators belonging to the First Division 1 were indispeiißible, as others could easil.y be taught to fill their places. He had previously employed the man whose case was'under review. He had found !no difficulty in teaching an apprentice, who was doing the work satisfactorily. The board regretted its previous decision, but did not reverse it, ns the extension of time granted to the appellant would expire this month.