The Boot Industry.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 265, 12 November 1904, Page 2

The Boot Industry.

A HOPEFUL REPORT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. The boot industry in Wellington is in a hotter condition than it was supposed to be, for the visiting committee of tho Industrial Association, in reporting the result of certain investigations on the subject, informed the association that tho increase in the trade is remarkable, considering tho competition that has to be contended with. For years past England, Germany, and America have sent large monthly shipments to New Zealand, and Wellington hus received a full share of the importations. The increased tariff on foreign manufactured goods, however, hus considerably decreased the supply coming to hand from Germany and America, whilst the imports from England have increased. Notwithstanding the cheap labour in England Wellington has been more than able to hold her own in the manufacture of strong, serviceable boots and shoes, and to give employment to hundreds of workers of both sexes. The factories of the city are unable to keep pace with the demand. A fair estimate of the number of pairs of boots and shoes made in Wellington is about 200,000 per annum. The amount paid in wages is estimated at about £2. r ),000. One serious drawback to the trade here is tho want of skilled operators, men who .can and will think. Hundreds of sturdy, hard*, working operators hnve broken titAe, but tlie skilled men are never idle! From general indications the committee considers it sufo to anticipate prosperous times for the boot industry of Wellington and New Zealand generally.