SHORTAGE OF CARS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22940, 7 May 1949, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF CARS

Sir, —I was most pleased to see your article on the shortage of new cars in New Zealand. I have recently been away from this country and on my return was struck with the povertystricken appearance of the transport. For a country which is exporting three of the world’s most required commodities at exceedingly advantageous prices, there appears to be every ground to quarrel with the present restrictions. As a comparison I will quote the situation in Jamaica. There, as here, American cars are not regularly imported, but it is possible to buy, immediately from stock, any of the newest British models (Austin, Hillman, Morris Standard or Vauxhall)—cars which have scarcely yet been seen in this country. Furthermore, the price is very different, a Standard Vanguard or a Vauxhall Velox costing within a few pounds of £550. In consequence, second-hand -ars are also infinitely cheaper than in this country; £l5O will produce a really serviceable, reliable car. So it is not merely the well-to-do, but every single New Zealander who can feel that the present policy is preventing him from owning his own car. G. P. BACHE