H.—IS

CXXI

Miller, Thomas, Boot-retailer, Auckland (21/6/12 ; p. 237) — . Boot and shoe prices increased—Effect of Customs tariff on imports—Classes of boots affected by tariff— Children's shoes and slippers heavily taxed although not manufactured locally—Duty on evening shoes increased from 22J to 115 per cent. —Cheap boots completely shut out by present tariff— Re rents and returns received for household property — Fish—prices high, due to cost of distribution—Advocates Government monopoly of fish trade. Dv Feu, J. N., Boot-retailer, Christchurch (12/6/12 ; p. 117)— Rent of shops too high—Retail profits about 25 per cent.— Be brands—Some classes of boots not. increased in price over twenty years—Advocated reduction of duty on cheap boots and slippers—English boots can be sold cheaper than locally made ones despite duty and other charges—lncrease in duty is followed by local manufacturers raising prices. Lafperty, Charles, Boot-retailer, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 131)— Be shoddy boots imported and sold—Samples produced—Branding German goods—No combination among retailers to fix prices—Approves idea of training girls to distinguish qualities of boots and other goods in domestic training course—Women more easily gulled with shoddy than men— Be laces and wholesale prices. Thornton, J., Boot-retailer, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 189)— Increase in cost of boots due to better article required—Competition open —Trade, with witness, mainly with imported boots—Foreign brands on locally made boots do not deceive retailer—Rates and rents increased enormously. Hutchison, J., Boot-machinist, Wellington (8/7/12 ; p. 438) — Re export duty on hides—Best hides are exported—lndustry should be fostered in New Zealand—Prejudice against New Zealand boots falling off—Now thoroughly well made—Boots should be branded if made of shoddy—Retailers do not know what they are buying, i.e., colonial or imported boots—Better boots in demand—Trade should be run by State—Defence Department's contract for Territorial boots— Efficiency of men not falling off—Average wages 535. 6d. for full week's work—Advocated retention of duties —All classes of boots can be made in New Zealand. Williams, William, Boot-trade Employee, Christchurch (12/6/12 ; p. 96) — Vice-president New Zealand Federated Boot Trade Workers—Living more expensive all round—Boot-prices increased—New machinery and specialization reduced cost of labour—Wages on £1 boot (retaii) Is. 6d. —Retail profits unduly high—lnstance given—English and Dominion wages compared—Foreign brands on locally made boots—Retailers are dominant factors in local trade—Labour cost of making boots analysed. B. Clothing and Drapery. Leithead, T. R., Manager, Kaiapoi Wollen-mills, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 190) — Wool not increased in price in recent years—Manufacturing cost same as as ten years ago—lmproved machinery responsible and can be set against increased wages—Labour needs satisfied at present. King, F. M., Clothing-manufacturer, Auckland (21/6/12 ; p. 241)— Wholesale trade only—Prices increased 15 to 20 per cent.—Labour chiefly responsible—Cost of making clothing quoted—Average earnings of workers compared—Efficiency of employees falling off— Be cost of protection in flour, clothing, and boot industry. Cathie, C, Clothing-manufacturer, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 452) — Better class of goods now sold, consequently prices higher—No combination among manufacturers—Labour has increased from 20 to 25 per cent.—Cotton goods greatly increased in cost—Higher standard responsible for dearer living—Labour shortage acute. Donne, A. E., Secretary, Wellington Woollen-manufacturing Company, Wellington (9/7/12; p. 455) — Labour cost increased 20 per cent., materials 12J (trimmings)— Better styles and quality demanded—Labour shortage acute—Market free and open—Methods of manufacture greatly improved—Minimum wages exceeded. Minty, William, Factory-manager, Kaiapoi Clothing Company, Christchurch (11/6/12 ; p. 86) — Labour charges considerably increased—Since 1902 37J per cent, in wages journeywomen, male operatives 10 per cent.—No difficulty securing hands—Efficiency, of labour deteriorating—Labour represents halfcost factory-made clothing—lntroduction of labour-saving machines reduced cost of product. Ross, John, Clothing-manufacturer, Dunedin (5/6/12 ; p. 22) — Cost of clothing increased—Woollen goods manufactured slightly higher than twenty years ago—Made-up goods increased 10 per cent, to 20 per cent.—No association to fix prices. Caughey, A. C, Draper and Clothier, Auckland (26/6/12 ; p. 319)— Re drapery and clothing prices—Increased prices small compared with previous years—Cost of men's clothing better qualities required—No combination in restraint of trade—Rents, wages, land-values increasing. Court, George, Draper, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 335)— Tweed suits increased in cost in five years 10 per cent.—Drapery increased generally 10 per cent, in five years —Superior articles in demand—Fashion more studied—Rents chief cause of rise in living. Gill, H. 0., Draper, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 175)— Cheaper class of drapery sold now—People satisfied with poorer quality goods—Business expenses increased— Absolutely free wholesale market. Simm, William, Manager, Drapery Company, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 447) — No appreciable rise in drapery prices—Character of trade changed—Better quality and style demanded— Pay of assistants not advanced but conditions improved—Public benefits by tariff remissions. Free, H. V., Draper, Christchurch (15/6/12 ; p. 163)— Drapery not increased generally—lncrease mostly in articles of luxury—Ready-made suits not in demand— Be tariff and its effect—Wages and expenses increased generally—Effect of increased wages on prices equals 1 to 2 per cent.—Very few bad debts. Ricketts, F: W., Draper's Assistant, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 131) — Drapery, especially locally made articles, and luxuries increased in price—Articles of necessity, not increased much—Woollen goods increased 10 to 15 per cent.—Silks 5 to 10 per cent. —Effect of tariff reductions.

xvi—H. 18.