MILLIONS FROM MOTORS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19213, 20 January 1928, Page 5

MILLIONS FROM MOTORS.

FIVE YEARS' GROWTH

NUMBER OF CARS DOUBLED. UMU oca OWS COKSESrO-NCENT.! LONDON, December 14. How rapid bas been the growth of motoring in Great Britain in recont years j S illustrated afresh iu a return issued a few days ago by the Ministry of | Transport, giving details of the receipts ! from road taxes and of the licenses taken out in the nine months ended August 31st last. The figures disclose the striking fact that since 19-- the number of motor-vehicles has almost doubled, bringing a corresponding increase in the amount raised from the taxes, while, on the other hand, horsedrawn vehicles licensed have decreased by more than half. , I7d to August the Treasury benefited through the existence of motor-vehicles, by £21,454,770. Last year's figure was £17,579,437, while in 1923 the amount was £10,535,417. This year's sum was made up lrorn the licenses issued in respect of lib,056 private cars, 671,620 motor-bi-cycles, 273,343 goods vehicles, 96,6/0 tasi-cabs, 15,313 agricultural engines, and a number of specialised vehicles, such as invalid carriages and tractors, bringing the total of vehicles up to 1,888,736. . t , t ,. During June, July, and August of this voar 84,023 road vehicles were licensed for the first time. These newcomers in. eluded 40,700 cars taxed on horse-power, 29,780 motor-cycles, 9174 goods vehicles, and 270 motor-cabs. London added 13,044 new motors to its total in the three months, including 8504 cars taxed on horse-power, 2510 cycles), 1533 goods vehicles, and, 241 motor-cabs, Of the 40,700 new cars,-17,763 wore saloons, and 23,926 were touring cars. Of the 29,730 new • motor-cycles, 4501 were fitted with trailers or sidocars. Sixty-two pedal cycles with mechanical power attachments were licensed. Horses More Economical.

The Berkshire Farmers' Union has recommended its members to use horses for transport, as they are non-taxable, and therefore more economical than motors.