MOTOR-VEHICLE BODIES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26986, 11 March 1953, Page 10

MOTOR-VEHICLE BODIES

IMPORTS CRITICISED EFFECT ON N.Z. INDUSTRY FEARED (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 10. “Hundreds of thousands of pounds of overseas exchange are being used to import vehicle bodies into the country,” said Mr R. N. Chatterton (Wellington) at the annual conference of the New Zealand Motor Body Builders’ Union in Dunedin today. “This money could have been saved,” said Mr Chatterton. "The resources of local body builders could have been utilised to the fullest possible extent to meet the demand. The foundations of the industry are now being undermined by such practices.”

Mr Chatterton was speaking to a remit sponsored by the Wellington branch of the union, which stated that further representations should be made to the Government about imports of vehicle bodies. The remit said the imports were detrimental to those engaged in the body-building industry in New Zealand. It urged that a deputation should wait on the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr J. T. Watts), and that the workers’ unions concerned should be asked to join the deputation. It was decided that a sub-committee should be set up by the New Zealand executive to obtain the necessary information from each branch, to enable a strong case to be put forward. "No Consideration Received”

Mr Chatterton said that, in 1951, the restrictions on imports of motor bodies’ had been “completely lifted.” The industry had not been approached, and substantial orders had been placed overseas.

Approaches had been made to the Government, but no consideration had been received, he said. The position now was that a large amount of trade had been taken away from the New Zealand industry, and some manufacturers were suffering from a shortage of work. i

Mr J. Griffiths (Auckland) said the position could become serious in Auckland if work did not become available. He considered that a subcommittee of the New Zealand executive should be formed to inquire into the problem. “It was never intended that local people should get orders.” said Mr W. Rogers (Christchurch). “Some of the penalty clauses incorporated in tenders are ridiculous. They could not possibly be met by the industry." As a result, he said, thousands of pounds of the taxpayers’ money had been sent out of the country. No figures had been given by the authorities on what had been paid for imported vehicle bodies. Mr D. H. Taylor (Christchurch) said New Zealand body-builders had been “side-stepped and wiped aside.” There was no doubt the position could become serious if the present trend was allowed to continue. There was now an opportunity to build up staffs, but this could not be done under the present circumstances.

He understood that steel bodies had been imported from England for work at Roxburgh, said Mr J. E. Hunt: This was wrong. The New Zealand trade should have protection against such imports. ' The Government should be made to understand the position.