CUSTOMS DUTY ON FOOTWEAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3701, 10 December 1912, Page 2

CUSTOMS DUTY ON FOOTWEAR.

A WELLINGTON MEETING. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, Dec. 9. At a conference of boot and shoe retailers of Wellington, held to-day. resolutions were passed, urging representatives at a conference to be convened by the Minister for Customs, to oppose any increase in the existing tariff, and recommending—(l) That all footwear that cannot lie profitably manufactured in the Dominion be admitted duty free, or at most to bear 5 per cent, revenue tax, including men’s, women’s, and children’s slippers, with the uppers of any material other than leather, evening shoes with a top piece or wood heels, goloshes. PlimsoH’s gum boots, and all other rubber shoes, buckskin boots and shoes, with leather, rubber, mercury, or chrome soles, and all children's footwear up to size one (inclusive) ; (2) opposing the injustice of the public generally strongly recommending its removal; (3) that owing to the high standard of living adopted in this dominion, and the constant change of fashion demanded, the conference considers it impossible for New Zealand manufacturers to cope with the increased output, owing to the scarcity of skilled labor, both male and female.