THE MOTOR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 105, 5 May 1915, Page 11

THE MOTOR

BUYING FOR BRITAIN'S GOOD SOME LOCAL MATTERS (By "Autos,") Patriotic leanings arc said by some local dealers to have already shown themselves strongly in customers purchasing motors and motor accessorifs. The manufactures of tho United States, to take an instance, have enjoyed such a reputation that hitherto a largo proportion of the public would buy them not necessarily of preference, but certainly without question of 'their merit as compared with British-made goods. Plenty of Continental goods enjoyed a similar freedom of sale. But lately ihe purchaser is more wary. His first question very often now is, "Js this a British product-?" and if tiie dealer says iv is not, that is the end of it. The buyer wants, if he can get it, a British cai", ft British tire, a British sparking ' plug, a British belt for his motor cycle. Thia is a sentiment which, though awakened by the special circumstances of the war, is to be encouraged at any time. A slightly lower price for the same quality of goods is often enough to make a customer buy a foreign-made article. He doos not trouble to think of the deeper springs that operate the machinery. Very few people realiso how foreign countries ajo able to compete on most advantageous tornis with British makers by dumping their surplus output on the 'market at ridiculous prices. . The foreign maker covers his cost of production and a litole more, and the British producer loses so much market. It is to be hoped that the motorist as well as other classes of purchaser will take the lesson of the war to_ heart. Greed for part of Britain's splendid comtnercd is on© of the mainsprings of the war -which Germany has engineered ; and the less her hopes are encouraged hereafter, the more complete will be the /'check to her ambitions. In exercising a general discrimination in favour of British, manufactures, not only during the war when patriotism is hot, but continuously afterwards, the public will only be doing their duty to the Empire. Every shilling that is spent in Britishisttac gooas-*-iaok>rs, accessories/ and fuel included— will help to pay the inevitable debt of Britain to the world at large. ! Other expenditures will only help in proportion to the part which re-presents-the British dealer's profits. THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB. The Wellington Automobile Chtl) is seeking specially for an increased membership at present, and although this/is rather a dull timo in the motoring world, and the keenest pleasures of week-end jaunte and more ambitious tour© are lying dormant till the warmer . moirths come, that is no reason -why full advantage should not be taken of the club. . The new secretary,. Mr. H. T. Stott, ie following out the wise plan of sending a circular to any person who has newly purchased a car, pointing out the objects of the club. They are os fojlows : — Improvement of roads ; removal of dangerous corners; erection of danger signals, mileage, and ' fingerposts j reduction of .freight on motorcars ', ' improved facilities for transportation of motor-oaTSj protection of the rights and ' ' interests ',of ■' motorists ; watching by-laws and legislation; defending and prosecuting actions at law; generally watching .the interests of motoring. The subscription -to- -the •club Is the proverbial guinea. But a special concession is being made afc present to new members, who are invited to join without subscription for the balance of the current financM year, which ends on 31st August. It will be noticed that the club does not commit itself to any social objectives. Its ideals are fiimply fhe *welf are of . the motoring community generally; and for the very Teason that the benefits it may attain fall alike ttpon members and non-members, every motorist has a certain duty towards tho organisation. THE CITY'S MOTOR-BUSES. The three <Tilling-Stevens motor-buses purchased by the City Council are being rapidly put into running order. Two of themjiavo had the bodiea erected on the chassis, and are being given, the finishing touches. These will probably be completed in a couple of weeks. The thu-d ie more behind-hand, but is being pushed on as rapidly ad possible. The two forward vehicles have a. fine appearance, which should help considerably, and I commend them to the public. The City Council has not yet announced .what route will be followed by these vehicles, and as the city has a. number of important areas which are not served by the tramways .there is very keen interest in the question. Several localities are said to be specially anxious to be favoured with the us© of the machines, and whatever ran is selected the council's venture is sure to be scrutinised very keenly both within and outside .Wellington. It is safe to say that the motor, as a regular and principal means of public service, has not yet had a suffipient trial in New /sealand to prove its full merits as a- rival to other forms of personal transport, and this is especially tru© of the four centres. Upon • the trial which the Wellington motors are given, therefore, depend results considerably wider than those which may be experienced here. It is interesting to note here that last week the electors of Wanganui sanctioned a loan to inable the local authorities to institute a motor-'bus^ service to supplement the electric tramways. MOTOR GUIDE AND MAPS. The New Zealand Automobile Association is undertaking an important function in endeavouring to secure the revival of the publication of a motor guide to New Zealand, and tho various clubs are being called upon to assist in the work. One stage of the preparation of the guide can be participated in by any car-owner who knows his roadfi, for the guide is intended to contain tabulated and generally useful descriptions of tours, written both ways, in. all parts of tho Dominion. The association also proposes to secure the publication of first-class survey maps of bbth islands. Both these objects are worthy of all support, for every driver has felt the need for both ( of them. Not only motorists, both residents and visiting tourists, but the- motorists' modest friend who pushes his wheel with his feet, and the energetic long-range pedestrian would warmly welcome the success of the association's endeavours. The Wellington Club is at present distributing to its touring members convenient schedules upon which data respecting desirable trips can £a*ily be entered , MOTORS AND THE NATIONAIi RESERVE. The Army Service Corps formed in connection with the New Zealand National Reserve ie growing rapidly, and . now includes about 160 members. It is shortly to be strengthened by a trans* potb and despatch division, which is expected to have, as far as Wellington is concerned, the liberal support of raort oi the motorists, motor drivers, and motor-cycliste & the city. Nobj^y^rieede

to be impressed now with the imnieuso importance, in a military organisation, of the motor. The spirit and efficiency of a force in the field depends in an almost unbelievable degree upon the constant and efficient running of the motors which carry food_, water, and ammunition between the bases and. the active troops. Motor-cyclists are almost indispensable as a branch of the intelligence dopartment. To bring the matter down to local terms, it is stated that, with the car 3 known to be available for military purposes in Wellington, a force of at least 2000 men could be removed at high speed in one operation within about two hours ; and every car would be in the hands of an experienced driver.