COST OF FOOTWEAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2027, 11 September 1919, Page 2

COST OF FOOTWEAR.

PRIME MINISTER’S EXPLANATION.

Replying to a question asked by Mr W. 11. Field (Otaki), the Prime Minister said in (he House of Representatives onTuesdav: —

“I am advised by the Board of Trade that the increase in the price of New Zealand-manufactured bools made of New Zealand leather is between 5 per cent, and 71 per cent,, due (a) to increases in the prices of hides to tanners since December, 1918; (b) to increased wages granted recently to tannery employees and to boot operatives; (c) to the increased cost of materials used in tanning owing to the strike in Australia; (d) to the increased cost of finishings used by bootmanufacturers, .which must lie imported from abroad. In regard to imported hoots, those imported from Australia have considerably advanced in cost since April, owing to the removal of the embargo on the export of hides from Australia. This was followed by an increase in footwear, firstly, of 35 per cent., and more recently of an additional 15 per cent,, or from 3s to 10s per pair wholesale. It is no longer possible to import supplies from America except at exorbitant prices. Supplies from Great Britain, which have,increased from,7s per cent, to 125 per cent, in cost, arc also difficult to secure.. I am reliably informed that New Zealand-made footwear is (he cheapest in the world to-day. Special legislation is being prepared'with the object of effectively controlling prices.”