IMPORTS OF BRITISH CARS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 136, 20 March 1948, Page 7

IMPORTS OF BRITISH CARS

MOTOR UNION SEEKING LARGER QUOTA (P.A.) DUNEDIN, March 18. An increase in the number of British cars imported into New Zealand was urged at the half-yearly meeting of the South. Island Motor Union today. It Avas contended that there were too many dangerously decrepit vehicles on the road. On the motion of Mr C. W. Browne, president of the Automobile Association (South Canterbury), it was decided to support, ihe North Island Motor Union in asking the Government to increase licences for British cars immediately. Mr Browne said that many doctors, farmers, business men, stock agents, and others needed new cars, and it was essential that they be kept mobile. The position was- becoming increasingly difficult as wear increased on American cars because of the. shortage of spare parts and the Government’s refusal of licences to augment stocks. “There are plenty of cars available; English manufacturers have set a target of 20,000 cars for New Zealand, for 1948, but licences 1 have been iissued for only a little over 9000,” said Mr Browne. If no additional licences were granted, he had it on good authority that New Zealand importers would have no new cars for the first three months of 1949. If the import quota were not increased by March 31 the licences Avo.uld be useless, as it took nine months to land in New Zealand cars for which licences had been granted. These cars must reach New Zealand by the end of the current year.

Mr Browne said there Avere ample funds available in London; Britain needed 1o increase her exports; the more cars produced the cheaper they would lie. Those wore aIL arguments for increasing the import quota. In addition the Government should be in favour of it as it would increase revenue from duties and taxes.