RUBBER FOOTWEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1933, Page 13

RUBBER FOOTWEAR

CHEAP JAPANESE IMPORTS

EFFECT ON HEALTH

(By Telegraph.—Press Assrclatlon.) AUCKLAND, August 24. Investigation of the effebt upon the health of the people of the wearing of Japanese rubber footwear was requested by Mr. 0. A. Watts, secretary of the New Zealand Federated Boot Trade Industrial Association of Workers, when giving evidenco before the Tariff' Commission. He said that the introduction of machinery had brought about a displacement of workers,-and the stage had been reached where many highlyqualified operatives were out of employment. "I am directed, by my association to .isk that the Commission recommend that an investigation be made as to the effect upon the health of tho people the wearing of this perspiration-caus-ing rubber may have. We feel that the stuff should be treated as being noxious, and its entry prohibited so far as this Dominion is concerned." Dr. Craif chairman of the Commission: We are eoncei'ned only with duties; that is our order of reference. Professor Murphy: Is this Japanese footwear any more deleterious than other rubber footwear? Mr. Watts: No, but we have this position, that young people are wearing this footwear in tho streets through force of circumstances. They have to buy the cheapest article. The continuous wearing of this footwear must have a deleterious effect, because the rubber does not breathe like leather.