TYRE SUPPLIES IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26219, 16 September 1950, Page 6

TYRE SUPPLIES IN N.Z.

“DANGEROUSLY Lo¥i LEVEL” DISCUSSION BY MOTOR UNION (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON N., Sept. 15. Strong condemnation of the authorities responsible for allowing stocks of .atandara size tyres in New Zealand to? 'become deputed to-a “dangerously low? level” was . voiced, at the annual con- ; ference of the North Island . Motpr Union to-day, when it was decided to send a deputation imrpediatoly to the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) to urge upon the Government the need for replenishing stocks against the contingency of another international emer- r gency. The subject wss introduced by the president (Mr W. H. Brown), who Said ' he had just received a letter from motorists in his district who said it. wa« almost impossible to purchase standard-sire; tyres anywhere in the country. This position arose, said the jy r jtor, from the fact that protection had been extended to local manufacturers of tyres. In spite of their claims to the contrary, local manufacturers of tyres had been unable to meet existing demands, let alone build up stocks, and the result was that this country’s supplies had beeri depleted to a dangerously low ebb. “The fact that we had considerable stocks of tyres in New Zealand before the last war undoubtedly proved the salvation of this country,” said Mr Brown, “not only for the maintenance of our internal economy, but also for the prosecution of our war effort. The time has now come to take strong action to get the Government to per- . mit the importation of tyres.” Mr W. R. Carey (South Island Motor Union) joined Mr Brown in expressingdeep concern at the position. The Government should permit all imported cars, in addition to those completely assembled, to be equipped with British tyres until such time as local manufacturers could overtake the present shortage, said Mr J. EPeach (Hawke’s Bay). Mr A. Dysart (Hawke’s Bay) said there had been indications of panic t T res by toe public because °£ feer of a shortage. The union should make a recommendation to members not to buy tyres unless absolutely necessary, so there would be enough to go round.