IMPORTS OF BRITISH CARS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25447, 19 March 1948, Page 6

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 was 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 the 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 kepi mobile. The position was becoming ihcreasingly 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 have been issued 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 would 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 were ample funds available in London; Britain needed to increase her exports; the more cars produced the cheaper they would be. These were all 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.