MOTOR EXPORT METHODS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 September 1926, Page 5

MOTOR EXPORT METHODS

PRICES FOR CHASSES

SPECIAL RATES CHARGED

ALLEGED FOREIGN DICTATION.

(By Telegraph.—Special to The Star.) WELLINGTON,; Sept. 1. In their efforts to encourage - “the building of motor-car bodies in- New Zealand the motor importers have, ordered ehasses without the body cut. It is suspected, according- to-u,-_ -statement made by the Hon W; Downie-Stewart, Minister of Customs, that this has resulted in an unfair discrimination by the exporter in order to interfere with a New Zealand industry. The duty on motor bodies, remarked the Minister of Customs in the House last night, when presenting certain resolutions to increase the scale, should either be made effective in the way of helping; New Zealand builders, or it should he ..wiped out altogether. The old tariff was insufficient to afford protection'to this industry in New Zealand, and an important point had come under his notice, . that when ehasses • without bodies were brought in from America they were charged a higher price than the relative price of the complete car, with the result that the importer who desired to have the body built in New Zealand had to pay a- higher price-than warranted by the factory cost. “‘This is a great handicap to the local body builder, apart from- the tariff,” continued Mr. Stewart. “No doubt representations will be made- to' members that relatively higher prices are charged for the ehasses against complete cars, but it really seems to me that "the question whether the body building industry is to exist in New Zealand is to be :' determined in America, or some other place' outside of Ne w Zealand, a position. that will not be tolerated.” A STAMPEDING SYSTEM. The Minister of Customs, also made an interesting .disclosure of an organised attempt to flood members with protests against the ; increased duties. After explaining" that unsuccessful attempts had been made to secure a friendly, arrangement between the motor importers and the body builders, Mr. Stewart went on to warn nierflbers that an attempt would" be made to stampede them before the Bill was in- - troduced which would confirm the resolutions. By a strange coincidence he had been abie to obtain a copy .of a letter, marked “strictly confidential,” which had been sent Out to agents by the Motor Traders’ Association. It referred to the fact that negotiations had . gone on, and proceeded. to urge that no effort should, be spared to prevent the passage of the proposal to increase the rates of duty. The letter stated:; • “You are earnestly requested to'wntcli the papers, and if an. atteiupt.is made to increase the dutyj you. should immediately get as many of your clients as possible to telegraph to their, member to oppose any increase in the duty. It is possible the - Government may back down and defer the matter till next session, in which case a motion will be required.” . Mr. H. E. Holland: ‘ ‘One would think it is a licensing Bill.” (Laughter.) , • - Mr. Stewart added that he had previously had experience of snowing members' under with telegrams of protest, with the idea of impressing them ’with the volume, by means of highlv organised arrangement; but he would'.askfthe House to consider the facts impartially and without regard to. the volume of the telegrams poured in by these artiIflcia! means. r "V- ’ '