British Trade Group Seeks More Imports

Press, Volume C, Issue 29536, 10 June 1961, Page 12

British Trade Group Seeks More Imports

(New Zealand Press Association;

WWUBiG’Vni, June 9. “British vehicle manufacturers will certainly welcome the minister's' announcement,” said Mr G. B. J. Clarke, New Zealand representative of the Society of British Motor Manufacturers and Traders, today. “It has always been our manufacturers’ policy to co-operate in any reasonable programme to increase local content in cars where this does not involve a substantial increase in cost, and they are co-operating in the programme in New Zealand to the fullest extent possible. "At the same time, some of our specialist cars do not lend themselves to local assembly and have to be imported built up. These cars serve the needs of a very important section of demand and we hope the minister will see his w-ay in the near future to accord them treatment similar to that which he announced for C.K.D cars. “The effect of this was to make the prices of used cars completely out of line with the new price,” said Mr Clarke. “At the retail motor trade conference last year, their president said ‘New Zealanders would be going into yet another Christmas with used ear prices out of reach of thousands of people and at record levels.’ This has always been our view, and the situation over the last few years has caused more heart-burning than any other feature of motoring. “Within the last fewweeks, the Government has brought forward the date to 1958 for the purchase of cars by non-remittance licences and thus the position will be further eased. We find it difficult to see the reason why this date could not have been brought forward up to the time of the announcement. "The announcement now made is certainly a step forward in what has been an unsatisfactory state of affairs. It will not only give us more cars now, but will help to bring the price of a used car into proper relationship with that of a new car. It will also go some way towards removing the feeling held by many private motorists that they have no chance of ever getting a new car.

"To obtain full refief from these problems, the Government obviously realises and should make every effort to ensure that the ‘hit-and-run’ policy regarding the imports of motor vehicles should cease,” Mr Clarke said. “Every opportunity should be taken to have a steady increase in new cars, relative to increased population and prosperity. “It is gratifying to note that it is the Government’s long-term objective, when overseas funds permit, to overtake the shortage and do away with its evils.”