MOTOR VEHICLES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 113, 9 November 1933, Page 13

MOTOR VEHICLES

DUTY ON WEIGHT

ANOMALIES LIKELY

|. The claim that any basis of assessing duty b^ weight would be complex, ineffective, and unfair to manufacturers, New Zealand importers, and users was made by Mr. H. B.^Gibbons, managing director of the Colonial, Motor. Company, Ltd., before the Tariff Commission today when opposing the suggestion of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, England, that duties on imported motor vehicles be based oil weight rather than on an ad valorem basis. '.■--. The method suggested would introduce a crop of anomalies* he said.'A weight basis for spare parts, service and garage equipment, and tires could not be arranged without adding innumerable tariff headings to avoid those anomalies. It would be inequitable to assess parts without regard for quantity or quality of fabrication. As to the suggestion that the duties on vehicles could be graded' according to engine capacity, Mr. Gibbons askedwhy ! a grade for small cars should bo instituted to assist them in the matter of duty,when they already would have a distinct advantage on a weight basis. They were mainly used for personal transport by pleasure-seekers and did a small milage,.whereas larger vehicles were needed for business and .by farmers who required more economical transport. It had been suggested, Mr. Gibbons said, that the. United Kingdom required . protection against the United States, but why should Canada be penalised in the process'? Canada's market was no bigger than the United Kingdom's and had no advantage of volume. Any difficulties of the ad valorem system affecting United Kingdom manufacturers applied equally to Canadian manufacturers. Capable Customs officers overseas were always ayailable to straighten out any difficulties.