NOTES OF INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 7

NOTES OF INTEREST

NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT CRITICISED

THE MOTOR TRADE

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 23rd March.

"Th« Government of New Zealand," gays the "Northern Whig," "has performed a graceful act in presenting a large framed portrait of the late Right Hon. William Ferguson Massey, P. 0., tho Limavady-born Premier of the Dominion, to the deceased statesman's cousin, Miss Ferguson, who resides at Enagh, Limava&y." AN EXAMPLE FOB THE PEEE STATE. According to the "Irish Independent," the New Zealand Government has given an excellent example to the Tree State. "In 1922, the year when the Free State was established, the expenditure of the State Departments of New Zealand was overhauled, and economies running into several millions were as a result effected. These savings made it possible to reduce the maximum rate of income tax from 7s 4d to 4s 6d. Other reliefs were also given, the total value of the remissions and concessions being estimated at £4,000,000 per annum. When may the Irish taxpayer expect remissions and concessions amounting to that sum?" SALE OF FREEZING WOEKS. In a mail letter the Wellington correspondent of "The Times" Trade Supplement states that bankers in New Zealand are perturbed at the action of the Government in refusing to approve the transfer to Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Limited, of the license to export frozen meat held by the Wellington Meat Export Company, Limited. "It is generally admitted that the raising of fresh capital would be practically impossible. The banking view is that the Government has made a serious mistake in applying the veto to the transfer of the license, inasmuch as the license is an essential part of the assets, just as it would be in the case of a public house. The sredit of meat works is said by bankers individually to be greatly depreciated by the action of the Government and by the possibility of similar action in other cases. Freezing works, it is held, will find extreme difficulty in , obtaining finance if sudi a veto is allowed to hang over the industry. As it is, many of the freezing works m New Zealand, especially those owned and managed by farmers, are carrying on by the indulgence of the banks. Prospects of a good season m 192b in respect to quantity and price of meat exports from New Zealand are far from bright, and the trade will require extremely skilful handling during the next six months." DOMINION TIMEEE. Mr. J. .Butler contributes an article to the "Timber Trades Journal" in which he explains and defends the principle of associations of saw milling groups in New Zealand. He explains that although far-reaching measures have been introduced, a wholscsome check has been provided by the federation against legislation of an extreme character that might otherwise have reached the Statute Book. "At the present time the federation is much exercised about the rapid increase in the importation of timber from the West Coast of Canada and America. In the case of Douglas fir it is sold at prices against which the New Zealand sawmiller cannot possibly compete owing to the heavy increase of timber royalties, a recent increase in timber railway freights, and the high wages paid to timber workers. The federation will no doubt seek to put a further import duty on this timber. BRITISH MOTOR TEADE. One of the considerations hindering the recovery of the British motor trade in Now Zealand, according to the Welj lington correspondent of "The Times Motor Supplement, "is. that British factories are not equipped to meet the seasonal demand when it arises, chiefly between October and March; aiu. many models produced do not suit New Zealand conditions. Tho British manufacturer has the sentimental factor m his favour, but he must take into account the material factors, which are at present against him. Another influence which will make English competition more difficult in the future is the proposed establishment by the General Motors Corporation of an assembling plant in the Dominion. _ A site near Wellington has been acquired for the purpose, and the corporation will, when its works are in' operation, be in a position to save a proportion of freight and also some intermediary charges by dealing direct with retailer*. To meet this competition English manufacturers will require to revise their organisation in this market. Organisation for sales and service plays an important part in marketing. The small car owner, especially in the country prefers a popular make, because he is sure of service. Dealers and garages find it unprofitable to carry stocks of spares for little-used models. Road improvement in future will help the sale of English cars,, as it has already done, but competitive price and suitable models would help more. THE GOOD OLD TIMES. Memories of the good old days, when two-guinea tips were common, were revived by the old cab-drivers of London when they were entertained this week hv the Ca'bdrivers' Benevolent Association Mr. W. Reed, who drove a cab in London streets for 51 years, waxed eloquent about a former patron ±rom Now Zealand. Thus:— ■ "The best job I ever had lasted for tho whole of the London season. 1 was engaged by a wealthy man from ISew zffid to^e at his disposal durxng ho season He' stayed at tho &avo> Hotel, but he put all his valuables into my ore And when the seasou was over he gave me a handsome V*°™\™* asked me to return to Now Zealand with him. Young men about town would often give mo two gu.nea. as a Up." 85, Fleet street.