SOLE LEATHER

Southland Times, Issue 18851, 17 June 1920, Page 6

SOLE LEATHER

RETAIL BOOTMAKERS’ REQUEST. REMISSION OF DUTY (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 16. A deputation representing retail bootmakers waited on the Minister of Customs to-day, and asked that in view of the shortage of leather suitable for boot soles, the present import duty of twopence per pound on leather be remitted. It was stated on behalf of the deputation that there were not sufficient hides in New Zealand of the right weight to produce the soles required for boot manufacture in this country. The result had been that bootmakers had been, compelled to use for soles leather much too light for this duty. If the request were granted New Zealand makers of leather would not suffer, because even in pre-war times it had been the custom of the trade to import English leather for sales, and for tanners to import heavy hides. The Minister, in reply, said that the question of revision of the tariff was now before the Cabinet, but it was improbable that anything would be done by way of legislation during the next session of Parliament. He hoped that tariff revision proposals would be considered by Parliament next year. In the meantime it was intended that a board of inquiry, consisting of Customs experts, should go into all tariff matters, and the representations of the deputation would be placed on record in order that they might be put before the board. People interested would probably be given an opportunity of giving evidence or otherwise placing their views before the board.