AUCKLAUD BOOT TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1923, Page 3

AUCKLAUD BOOT TRADE

—«©*■ AUCKLAND. April 10 A statement made by a member of the executive ol the Cantoi bury Industrial Association last week, that one of the largest hoot I notaries in Auckland had been closed, and that there was not an Auckland factory working full time, apparently was made oil unreliable information. The alleged slackness in the boot trade was said to be due to the large importations of English boots and shoes during December, January, and Fehruary. It was stated that boots and slices had lice ll imported lo the Dominion of a toi ;il valm* ol C*V10,l)00. Mr ||. Dcarsley stated yesterday that no factory in Auckland had been closed and that he knew of no um'lliplovinciil locally in the iudtlslii. Ills own company was preparing lor considerable extensions, which would double its capacity. Mr Dcarsley said that during the last twelve months theie had been large imperial ions oi English boots and Slices. A great proportion of these consisted of ladies shoos, and local inaiMiiaelurers who specialised in this class of goods had no doubt been affected by the heavy competition. As far as men's footwear was concerned, said the speaker, manufacturers in the Dominion could more than hold their own. A feature of the position in regard to the heavy I rum England, lie added, was that those who bought the hoots on indent, in certain eases had to be extended credit from tin* local manufacturers, while imports were paid for on sight. This was hardly fair to the local laetories, who were producing a high grade article, which they claimed, gave hotter value than imported goods.

The fears expressed in Christchurch regarding the likelihood ot German hoots capturing the Dominion market, when th:* cm ha,-go on ('ennau goods was icmoved. wa- also referred to Mr Dcarsley. lie expressed the opinion that local mamiiiietiirers would he iho roughly safeguarded hv the restrictions placed by the Government on the importation of German goods.