MOTOR VEHICLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 6

MOTOR VEHICLES

IMPORTING OF PARTS

MORE WORK IN DOMINION

NEW REGULATIONS

In the Gazette published last evening notice is., given regarding determinations dated April 29, 1939, made by the Hon. W. Nash setting out amended conditions relating to the importation of unassembled motor vehicles. The new determinations will become operative on October 1 next, when they will replace those at present in force. The purpose of the determinations is to prescribe the condition of dissembly in which motor vehicles must be imported in order to qualify for entry at the concessional rates of duty set out in item No. 389 (a) of the Customs tariff. The present determinations have been in force since September 1, 1935. These are now being revised with a view to requiring that' additional ■ work should be performed in connection with completion of the vehicles in New Zealand. The following are the mam aspects in which the determinations have been amended: — Upholstery materials (other than of wood): These are at present admitted as part of the vehicle if cut and preliminarily sewn. In future their importation will not be permitted in any form whatever. Batteries: In future only NeSv Zea-land-made batteries shall be used in completion of the vehicles. Bumper bars: In future these will be admitted only in the form of rough stampings or metal sections, unmachined and not plated. All machining and plating will require to be performed in New Zealand. Motor-car bodies: These can at present be imported in the form of a "shell" having a priming coat of paint. They will continue to be admitted in the form of a "shell," but may not be advanced beyond the stage of manufacture "where only the necessary welding processes have been performed.

Undercarriage springs for commercial vehicles: It will be necessary in future for these to be made in New Zealand.

Seat spring assemblies for all-steel cabs for trucks and vans: will not be permitted.

Doors for all-steel cabs for trucks and vans: To be imported unassembled.

It is expected that the modifications, particularly in respect of upholstery, batteries, bumper bars, and undercarriage springs and seat spring assemblies for commercial vehicles, will prove of considerable assistance to the particular industries concerned in supplying such goods.

It is expected also that as a result of the restriction placed on the importation of completely assembled vehicles under the Import Licensing Regulations considerable employment wrll be created in the completion in the Dominion of vehicles which will be imported in an' unassembled condition in lieu of the vehicles hitherto imported complete. ' >. '