MANUFACTURE OF CARS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 13557, 15 September 1944, Page 8

MANUFACTURE OF CARS

AUSTR.I LI AN PROPOSAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PRIVATE INTERESTS Canberra, Sept. 13. Unless private interests submitted satisfactory proposals, the Government would set up a corporation to make Australian motor-cars. In announcing this, the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, said the Government would invite proposals from all persons interested in producing an Australian car. Legislation dealing with the production of an Australian car would be repealed. This legislation consisted of the Motor Engines Bounty Act and the Motor Vehicle Agreement Act, passed by the Men•/.ies Government in 1939-40. When proposals from Aims were being considered, the Government would also examine the question of Government production of component parts adequate to maintain the factories ns efficient units for future defence production. Financial assistance would be provided for freight equalisation in order to encourage decentralisation. If the Government forms a corporation to make cars, it will be on the same lines as Amalgamated Wireless of Australia, in which the Commonwealth owns 51 per cent, of the shares and private enterprise the remainder.