THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1919, Page 5

THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

EVIDENCE ON THE BOOT TRADE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hastings, April 29. Giving evidence before the Industries Committee, Mr. Burfield, a local boot manufacturer, who was for ten years manager of a boot factory in England, said it was a waste of time trying to standardise boots, owing to the change of fashions and fancies. The day of cheap English boots had gone for ever. The only way to reduce the price of footwear iii New Zealand was to keep the hides in the country. Export resulted in England and America picking the best leather and exporting the wasters to the colonies at a high price. The hides should not be shipped, but large tanneries should be established close to the New Zealand freezing works. The Government should assist in research and works should be equipped With the best machinery. The farmer would then get a better price and the manufacturer would get his supplies first hand. The price would have to be fixed at a reasonable profit on the capital invsted, after allowing for the cost of production. The industry would find considerable employment for returned soldiers, besides filling New Zealand's requirements for leather, and possibly making the Dominion an exporting country. New Zealand could produce the best leather in the world, because it had the best hides. For durability, New Zealand home-made boots and shoos were far ahead of Australian, and, given good sole' leather, such as could be produced in our own tanneries, our manufacturers would Droduce as good boots as are obtainable in any part of the world. Even now boots made in Auckland were second to none, and the working conditions in the factory there were ideal. The employees were not treated as wage slaves. Given a first-hand supply of leather, New Zealand manufacturers could, and would, give the finest and cheapest boots anyone Could wish for.

The commission left for Wellington this, morning. PALMERSTON EVIDENCE. Palmerston North, Last Night. At. the Industries Commission to-day Mr. J. A. Nash gave evidence as to the value of by-products obtained from wood. He stated that from one cord of rata wood £SO worth of acid, 10s worth of oil, 15s worth of tar, and £lO worth of charcoal could be obtained. He pointed out that any wood could be used, or even sawdust. A company was being formed to carry on the work here. He produced samples of petrol oil and potash produced from wood, and asked that the plant be admitted duty free. Captain Preece stated that dyes could be obtained from native woods, and had been used by the Maoris for dying flax mats. He suggested scientific investigation by the Government. Mr. J. M. Johnston suggested the Government making experiments with English hemp in suitable districts, and advocated a geological survey of the Dominion to locate coal and minerals where they are in payable quantities. Mr. White urged the planting of American poplars" for box manufacture. Mr. M. A. Elliott urged the Government to assist in producing by-products from wool scouring. Mr. A. Seifcrt advocated the necessity for the cultivation of flax planting with Government assistance, in order to expand the industry. He : uggested experiments on State farms.

Mr. F. J. Nathan urged the necessity for the foundation of a dairy school for scientific research into dairy problems.