THE BOOT TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2401, 16 January 1909, Page 5

THE BOOT TRADE.

A UNIONIST STATEMENT.

[Press Association.j

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 15. In an interview criticising the boot -manufacturers’ manifesto, Mr. G. RWluting, General Secretary of the New Zealand. Federated Boot Trade Union, states that the wages and conditions offered by the manufacturers in 1903 and 1908 were accepted beceu.se tlie Arbitration Court declined on-account of foreign competition to make any increase in wages. Since then, as the result of .agitation by tlie Boot Trade Federation, the duty on imported boots and shoes had been increased. The result had been a considerably increased demand for New Zealand manufactured boots and shoes. He contended- that the workers- should receive some benefit from the increased duty,, -and that all the benefits should not go to tlie manufacturer® and retailers. The proposals in the resolution of the Boot Trade Federation Executive were intended as an alternative to State boot factories. 71 : State boot factories wore established, they would settle the difficulty so far as the workers were concerned. If not established, then the* public should have the opportunity to obtain cheap boots by the abolition of the duty. He alleged that under State control boots and shoes' could be sold at least 25 per cent cheaper than at present, and that tlie workers would receive decent wages and good conditions.