SHODDY FURNITURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 656, 7 May 1929, Page 10

SHODDY FURNITURE

MANUFACTURERS ARE INDIGNANT REFLECTION ON TRADE “Scandalous” was the description applied to the condition of a suite of furniture, round on being sent tc a manufacturer for repairs to be stuffed with old rags and newspapers, at the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association meeting yesterday. In referring to the disclosures in The Sun, Mr. E. W. J. Bowden sajd he had examined the suite. It had two springs instead of nine and was stuffed with filthy rags, old dirty shirts, singlets and other clothing and over 151 b of newspapers. He had been shown over 321 b of rags taken out of the suite He described it as a deplorable job and scandalous. He suggested the association should express disapproval of these practices, which tended to bring the local manufacturers into disrepute The furniture manufacturers had taken the matter up to a certain extent. On the ground that the subject had already received a certain amount of publicity, Mr. Findlay, secretary, contended no further action could be taken. The association wanted to forget such a thing, because it was so disgusting, he asserted. He understood that the man who had made the suite had obtained the rags out of the rubbish tips and actually had approached another manufacturer and offered to sell him supplies. Mr. Bowden held that some legislation should be provided under which a manufacturer of such goods could be dealt with similar to the strawberry grower who placed the big fruit on top. The health officer should be capable of dealing with the matter. This view was endorsed by Mr. C. W. Coles, who declared that such work reflected on the manufacturers as. a whole. It was reported that the maker of the suite was not a member of the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association. The secretary was deputed to interview the Furniture Manufacturers’ Association and ascertain what action is being taken against the offender.