HEW GAR TARIFF

Evening Star, Issue 20613, 13 October 1930, Page 1

HEW GAR TARIFF

ULTIMATE EFFECT OH PRICES , [Special to the ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, October 11. Importers are now busy working out their liability under the new tariff on Canadian cars. The first shipment will arrive at Wellington on Monday. According to Mr B. Todd, of the Todd Motor Co., only the lower priced cars will be affected. No high priced cars; are imported here from Canada, as it has been the practice of American manufacturers to make only the mors popular priced cars in Canada, and to? send cars in the high price range straight from the United States. The increase in price to the public will be equal to the added amount of duty. It' is estimated on cars in the £3,00 price range that the added tariff is about £SO; on a car costing £4OO the iucreasb will be about £BO. The highest priced Canadian car imported into New Zealand sells at £430, and the extra tariff on this will amount to about £BS.

“ It can "be safely said that importers will soon he obliged to raise the prices,’’ said Mr Todd, “ but it is hard to sayi when this will happen.” The' added 1 price was bound to restrict sales. Mr Todd remarked, but, on the other hand,it should bo pointed out that this year,! which was considered to be a slump year, 30 per cent, more cars were sold than in the corresponding period in 1928, which was supposed to be a good year.

“ It is an indication of how much, cars have . become an absolute necessity.’’ said Mr Todd. Although the tariff is bound to restrict sales it cannot stop people from buying a necessity.”