AUSTRALIAN FOOTWEAR

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1920, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN FOOTWEAR

AUCKLAND, Nov. 10. Tho anxiety in Christchurch- at the importation of 'Australian boots and slices is reflected in Auckland. Here, also, unemployment threatens. As to whether the crisis in. the industry involves cheaper footwear for the buying public the opinions are divided. The “Star” investigated the position today. A leading leather manufacturer said tho main factors in the market at present were the decrease in the price of hides ,and the absence of a market in Britain, and the falling away in the local demand. In his opinion leather products would come down in price in about four months time when the stocks in hand were sufficiently reduced. Importations from Australia, though at present they might cause trouble to the local market would not have a perman. ent effect, as the Australian leather was not of as high a grade as the New Zealand, and not as well tanned. . The manager of a. large factory gave as the explanation of tho Australian invasion of the market the inability of the New Zealand' factories to meet the abnormal demand for footwear that existed last year. There was a shortage of leather locally, and manufacturers of boots and shoes were obliged to procure what they irequired, wherever thety could. The wholesaler; linablo to get his requirements filled, in turn sent his orders 'abroad, chiefly to Australia, and Australia responded by increasing her output. These orders, now coming to hand on a falling market, had “loaded up” the middlemen, who had either to hold on or reduce prices and suffer heavy losses. Another authority said tho shortage of hands in tho hoot and shoe trade had a considerable influence in bringing about the present conditions. The new wages bonus provided the last straw. Most of the factories would ho eompell-.' ed to reduce staffs and to manufacture for stock only. “The outlook for the trade,” said this informant, “is undoubtedly very serious, even apart from tile importations from Australia.”