PRICE OF BOOTS IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 156, 27 March 1919, Page 5

PRICE OF BOOTS IN ENGLAND

CONDITIONS EEVIBWEU. The price of boots has risen considerably in New Zealand since the war began, but the position here is better than it is in England, as indicated in a buyers report just to hand. The report in question reads:— "Although the war is over, conditions in the boot■business are still in a very difficult and unsettled state; leather of the lighter grades in jrlace, box calf, and willow is very scarce, and the big deniand for footwear by demobilised: men is causing a great shortage. Many of the men, although they left boots behind them at the time they joined the Array, hml that now they are returning to civilian life it is impossible to wear them owin" to their feet having developed after being used to the Army wide fitting ones. On the other hand, men who could wear them prefer commencing their afterwar life with a complete new outfit AVe are afraid that these conditions will continue for some considerable time, and although we are hoping to have larger supplies of light leathers imported before very long, the big demand and higher wages for labour will keep the prices of footwear as' high as it is today for a very long time to come. Labour conditions are also very difficult, and the operatives are -continually demanding higher wages, and with the strength of the'unions behind them, the musters have to give way. to their demands. Only last week we received a notification of a further advance on boots mode in the Northampton district A tew days ago we wrote to a large number of manufacturers asking them when they would be in a position to sample tor tho coming season, and of the .replies we received 75 per cent, cannot give, us any idea as to when they win be in a position to oblige us. The low cud goods are more plentiful, but in. most instances are very unreliable and cause no end of trouble and aro better left alone. Trailers' prices are }ery high here in, England, and where Mi ore the war one would see dispkvs of boots at 16s. 6d., to-day it is quite a common thing to see practically the same lines shown at 425. There has certainly l» s n an •easing in prices of heavier leathers which were used during the war for Army; work, but now tho contracts are relaxing, the snnie leathers are bein-r put into bags, etc., the- prices of which are inclined to fall. Notwithstanding all these difficulties you can rest assured that, as soon as there is anv improvement in the position, we shall lose no tune it. advising you."