THE PRICE OF BOOTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 167, 10 April 1920, Page 7

THE PRICE OF BOOTS

Sir,—l have perused with Bpecial interest .Mr. Ward's letter in The Dominion in reply to "Purchaser" asking for information regarding prices of Australian boots as compared with the New Zealand product. He is ingenious but quite unconvincing when the various statements made from time to time, which I have take:: the trouble to look up, are considered. For instance, figures have been, ciuolid officially showing that Australian, toots were landed in New Zealand duty paid at 265. per pair, while New Zealand boots of similar class, but not quite bo well finished, cost l'Ss. This has not been questioned.. Further, it was stated that instances were known in which pur'chasers had. bought Australian-made boots in preference to New Zealand boots and paid less for them, not because they were cheaper but because they were liked better. This again was nit questioned. Yet Mr. Ward now writ's that "Purchaser's" statement js bas?d on an absolute 'falsehood. It is really astonishing, and the more one triea to dig into this thing . tlie doubtful it looks. Even the boot ex-, perts differ to an extraordinary extent. Mr. Ward on March 30 stated that'it takes ten pounds of hides to produce a pair of heavy working men s boots, while about the same time the president of tho Auckland branch of tho Boot Manufacturers' Association is reported as having said that it takes about seven pounds of hide to' produce u pair of men's working boots. _ What is the public to believe? I notice that Mr. Ward is going to Australia, and I wish him a-pleasant trip. I hope lie will go into the retail prices ot boots ill Sydney and Melbourne as compared with New Zealand. I think he will find them markedly* lower, though Austrnli i.'i hide prices are approximately the sam-3 as ours, while no embargo on hides has existed there since May-last—l am, ' PURCHASER NO. 2.