BRITISH MOTORS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 10

BRITISH MOTORS

TRADE DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF DOMINIONS One of tho arrivals by-the Ulimaroa from Sydney to-day was Mr. Leslie Walton, chairman and joint managing director of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., Luton, England. Mr. Walton has como to New Zealand in order to get in touch with the staffs of General Motors, New Zealand, Ltd., and General Motors' Distributors, Ltd., and to obtain as far as possible in the limited time at his disposal a first-hand knowledge of overseas con- [ ditions and problems as affecting the j British motor-car industry. Trade and political officials of the Department of Overseas Trade and the Colonial Office are extending to Mr. Walton every courtesy and assistance in his endeavour to get a true picture of local conditions in tho Dominions. Interviewed by a "Post" rcpresentive this afternoon, Mr. AValton said: "I intend spending a week or so in New Zealand. I shall be staying two or three days in. Wellington, and then

'Tho Post's" Special Photo Service.

proceed by motor through Rotoi.Tia and Napier to Auckland, combining business with the pleasure of visit:oig New Zealand's world-famous hot hikes district. The main object of my trip is to see for myself what the conditions arp like here for the development of our business and to meet all tho staff of General Motors, Ltd. This is the first time. I have been out here, 'but General Motors have been handling our cars j here for about nine mouths, and I want to. see how things arc g.oing and to ascertain the suitability or otherwise of our cars for your market. This is in pursuance of our poli.ey of making a really serious effort 'co develop the overseas trade. I have just come over here from Australia.' We had a splendid trip over, by thij bye, and are greatly favoured in. having such a lovely day for our landing in New Zealand. I have spent somo five weeks in the Australian States for the same purpose as that of my visit here. I have been making a. tour through the East, having travelled "via the Malay Straits Settlements, and Java, and are returning home by Vancouver. The only thing I can say is that we thoroughly realise tho growing importance of the New Zealand market to the British manufacturers. We' have, as a matter of fact, exported to the Dominion in a small way for :i number of years just the car we build as suitable for English use. But during the last twelve months wo have been developing a. car which we believe is more suitable for Dominion conditions! than anything we have I previously prixluced. I have come here to show your people that we arc genuinely out afijier the Dominion business. If they are : to increase their business, ■ British man at acturers must secure the ! export trade. There are very small possibilities,/ in the way of extending the Home .market for our goods, but great possibilities for extension in the Dominions,: where preference and Empire sentiment are of considerable importance ;^ncl assistance to us. I want to gather rthe opinions of tho trade and of users'eft our cars as to its suitability for the JVew Zealand market, and to learn if there are any suggestions to be madrj for still further inmrovinf them." / . ° | Mr. Walton is accompanied by his wife aad daughter, and Miss Lawrence, a school friend of Miss Walton's is also makirjg the trip with them. When they arrive back in the Old Country they will iiave. been away nearly six months in am.