"BOARD OF TRADE" BOOTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 3

"BOARD OF TRADE" BOOTS

FOOTWEAR AT REASONABLE PRICES s- . • I LIGHT ON THE SCHEME As for as tho cost of living is concerned tho most important announcement made last week was the Gazette notice calling the attention of boot manufacturers to the fact that the Board of Trade was prepared to issue lienses to manufacturers of "Board of Trade" boots. Seeking more than a passing knowledge of the. latest phase of tho "standardised boot," a Dominion reporter called upon Mr. C. J. Ward, boot manufacturer, who has been acting as adviser to tho board in respect 'to footwear for some time past. The new lines of boots to be manufactured according to the Board of Trade specification will bo recognisable by the fact that boots will be stamped on the waist with the words "Board of Trade," and the price at which they are to be sold (retail) will also be indelibly stamped on the^boot. "The boot," says Mr. Ward, "is to bo made of New Zealand leather throughout. It will be so soundly'made that, under ordinary circumstances, it should stand repairing several times, and the public, when they see the brand and the price, can be quite sure that they are not being exploited. The scheme involves the making of strong, sensible lwots for tho whole of the familygood working or school boots, but in 110 instance is it proposed to provide anything in the form of fancy footwear, or what are called 'city' boobs. Taking tho prices—boys' boots of guaranteed quality up to sizi t' will be sold at 18s. fid., and people may rest assured that tho inner parts—the foundation of tho boot—will be sound. A heavier sort will be sold at 17s. 9d. , Men's boots—a sound working boot—will be sold at from 2Cs. 3d. to 33s.—a solidlymade welted boot, that will bold up to repairs. Women's 'Board of Trade' boots will range from 20s. Gd. to 295. (in three qualities), well-modelled serviceable boots, calculated to give good service for the money asked. Girls' school boots (sizes 7 to 10) would be sold for Hs. 3d., aiid maids' boots (to size 5) for ,225. 3d.

"All these boots are to be mf.de of chrome hido and glace chrome feather throughout. The calf samples are held up for the present, as there is a free market for calf hides, and, as tho result a rise of 25 per cent, took place quite recently." Asked as to what basis of profit the retailer was'to work on in disposing of "Board of Trade" boots, Mr; Ward said his gross profit would be 25 per cent, on returns or 331-3 per cent, on the purchased price (which amounted to the same thing). On his part the manufacturer was to work on a return of G1 per cent, on his turnover, whatever it might be.

Jlr. Ward was asked how the Board of Trade's priceis could stand with any marked variation in the cost of raw material. His reply was that the prices could only remain as * they were' so long us fixed prices were maintained for the product of the New . Zealand tanners. If there was any "let up" on tho fixed prices of leather, the prices of Board of Trade boots would go by the board at once.

The Board of Trade boot scheme, Mr. Ward explained, was founded on an English idea. The war-time boot had been done away with officially at IlQmo, 'iut. -the Northampton .County (and Shire) Boot 'Manufacturers' Association had decided to recreate tho system, and, according to the latest files, the Northampton (City) Boot Manufacturers' Association, of which Mr. A. 13. Marlow was tho president, had decided on a similar scheme. In both instances tho retail prices of the boots were to bo stamped on them by the manufacturer. That 'was the keystone, of tho wholo business, as it at once removed any suspicion of profiteering. "All the profiteering in footwear which has been done in this country," said Mr. Ward, "was in imported on colonial , boots'was absolutely "'negligible." .

Our informant added that the Christchurch and Wellington Boot Retailer's' .Association had agreed to the schemo already. He, as a manufacturer, had applied for a license, and as soon as it was issued he intended to manufacture ,2000 pairs for a 6tart, for he had every confidcnce in tho public's sagacity in buying tho article they know to be sound and, at the same time, free from any extraneous cost. The factories ' wero always to be open to the boot inspectors of the Board of Trade, and tho cost of materials must be made known to tho Board's accountant.