BRITISH MOTOR-CARS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18182, 19 September 1924, Page 5

BRITISH MOTOR-CARS.

WHAT NEW ZEALAND NEEDS. (from our. ows cohbespondent.) LONDON, August 7. Speaking on behalf of the visitors at a luncheon given by Messrs Harper, Sons, and Bean, to overseas journalists and publicists at Dudley, Birmingham, Mr T. C. List (Taranaki) commented on a cablegram appearing in the Empire News Service section of the London "Daily Mail" that day from New Zealand, that of the fifty motor vehicles imported daily into New Zealand, only 5 per cent, were of British manufacture. The sentiment in the Dominion, lie said, was wholly favourable to British goods, as shown by the heavy duty imposed, it being recognised that New Zealanders were only studying their own interests by putting as much business as possible in the way of those .w4io purchased their produce. But in the past British car manufacturers had not consulted the wishes or requirements of New Zealanders, giving or offering them not what they wanted, but what the British manufacturers thought they should have. The American manufacturers worked on, different lines and produced a machine suiting New Zealand conditions as to clearance, wheel base, tracking, and power. Hence they Lad practically captured the market. But wero the British to change their tactics and produce machines on lines of foreign manufactures, they must soon recover this highly profitable market. They had a great initial advantage in enjoying the goodwill of the people, and goodwill, backed by right kind of goods, meant effecting profitable business.