N.Z. BOOT INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1927, Page 2

N.Z. BOOT INDUSTRY

TARIFF CHANGES. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Sept. 26. The representatives of the boot manufacturing employees interviewed the Minister of Customs to-dav, stressing the inimical effect which the tariff alterations would have upon their employment. It was said that two boot factories bad closed in AVellington last week, and that others were working only part time. Amongst those present were a number of men who came out to New Zealand from England under the assisted immigration scheme, contracted to the boot trade for a period of five years. They are specialists in the manufacture of a certain type of shoe, and their contract will expire in about two years. They complained that they have been notified by the Immigration Department that they must complete their live years’ contract, or otherwsie they would be required to pay the difference between the assisted passage fare which they paid to come out to New Zealand and the full fare. They expressed concern ;v----to their position if they were thrown out of work, and it was pointed out that they would he obliged to stay a further two years in the country,

while ‘there was no scope for their employment in other trades. One speaker complained of the dumping of hoots in New Zealand and he suggested that New Zealand should nrotect. her own hoot industry, and let England do the same. In his reply to the deputation, the Minister, Hon Mr Downie Stewart, stated that he did not know liow the House viewed the problem, hut the majority had always been opposed to any tariff increases which were likely to cause the prices of goods, to rise. He said lie would take their representations into consideration. There were all sorts of side issues that arose. The tanneries for instance, asked for protection. : Hr |R. Arc-Keen, M.P. (Wellington , South), who introduced the deputation said that he hoped the Minister would lie able to solve the problem and so enable the workers to he employed regularly.