OWNERS OF CARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 240, 10 October 1934, Page 9

OWNERS OF CARS.

SALARY BASIS DISCUSSED

MOTOR TRADE VIEWPOINT.

(By Telegraph-—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Criticism of the statement made by Mr. J. O'Shea, ro])rosentinpr the Municipal Association, in liis evidence before the Transport Co-ordination Board on Friday, when lie expressed the personal opinion that no person, unless a motor vehicle was required for his business, should be running a car if his salary was under £400 a year, was voiced tonight by Mr. J. F. Cousin*, who presented a statement 011 behalf of the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation. In the course of his statement, Mr. Cousins said that, broadly speaking, motor cars in New Zealand were owned as follows: Farming industry, 30 per cent; business purposes, 33 per cen\ private use, 37 per cent. Motor cars to-day were available for all classes of buyers, and the class of vehicle a man would own and the use he would make of it would bo decided by his income. Motor cars of old model could be obtained, and men with a mechanical turn of mind would find enjoyment in servicing them themselves. "To suggest that a motorist should be prevented by taxation from owning his own car becausc his income does not reach a specified standard is unreasonable and unjust," said Mr. Cousins. "It would be just as illogical as to suggest that yachting should be conlincd to those able to afford a modern dcep-keclcr, and that a man who owns a eanoo should bo prevented by taxation from doing so."