BRITISH MOTOR CARS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 October 1924, Page 8

BRITISH MOTOR CARS.

OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW ZEALAND. A VISITOR FROM ENGLAND. An interesting visiLor to New Zealand at the present time is Mr H. P. Henry, who is a member of the executive council of the Association of British Motor Manufacturers. Mr Henry left England a. year ago lor the purpose of making a thorough first-hand investigation of oversea markets. He has already visited India, Burma, Ceylon. Straits Settlements, Federated Malay States, Java, Siam. Ho ngking, Shanghai, Pekin, Japan and Australia, and lie is now touring the Dominion to become acquainted with conditions here. Naturally, Mr Henry is in a .position to speak with authority on the outlook for British trade in various parts of the Empire, and in other countries also. He is, of course, particularly interested in the motor industry, especially as affecting the firm he represents —Messrs Armst-rong-Siddeley Motors. Ltd., of Coventry. This company, by the way, is allied with Sir W. G! Armstrong. Whitworth and Co., Ltd., the great Empire organisation that has secured the contract for the construe tion of the Arapuni hydro-electric in stalalt-ion. A 40,000-MILE. JOURNEY. Mr Henry is optimistic as to tin future of the British manufacture, overseas. “Having travelled ever 40,00' miles since leaving England last Ocfco her,” he says, “1 am firmly convinced that British cars can and will in thefuture be sold in increasing numbers. “It is an undoubted fact that, gener ally speaking, British motor manufacturers are now offering better value ai lower prices than actually existed prioto 1914, although the cars have bee; improved both in design and efficiency and the equipment included is considerably greater than in pre-war days. “Everyone knows that conditions prevailing in Britain at the end of tic war prevented the immediate re-estab-lishment of British motors in overseas countries, hilt to-day the situation ivastly different. “Several British manufacturers ar. now displaying considerable alert-lie: and enterprise, and it is gratifying t see that exports of British-made car: for the first six months of 1924 have in creased by 100 per cent., over the co: responding period of 1923.” BRITISH SENTIMENT HERE. Mr Henry states that by reason n; the strong British sentiment in Nev. Zealand, in his opinion the.re is ever., prospect of a keen demand setting i. for British cars, as soon as the publi realise they can get the right maclvin-. at the right price. “The people of this country,” con tinued Mr Henry, “need no reminds that Britain is New Zealand’s bes. customer. I understand that the Unied Kingdom takes something like 8-' per cent, of New Zealand’s exports, si it is a. matter of fairness and logic, a: well as good business-, that the Britis. car should find a hearty welcome in the Dominion. Of course, sentiment doe not count for much in commerce, ou it is a fact that-the matter of doila exchange is not improved by New Zea land’s large annual payments for foreign cars.” Mr Henry was .reminded by the interviewer that everything depended upon the quality and value offered, anc the visitor heartily agreed'. “After all it is quality that is the chief ‘selliii' point’ of the British manufacturer. W claim that first cost is not eevrything. and that maintenance charges, anc durability should be carefully considers: bv the motor buyer. In fact, our case rests chiefly on quality of material and workmanship. Prices, moreover, ar-: now being brought down to a strictly competitive basis.’’ As regards Australia, Mr - Heni" stated that the All-British Motor Sliov recently held in Melbourne gave ; great impetus to the sale of Britis’ cars. He hopes that the people here will also have opportunities for examin ing and testing the latest product l from England, when it will be seen thal great strides have been made in cater ing for New Zealand conditions.