MOTORS IN WARTIME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17435, 23 March 1917, Page 8

MOTORS IN WARTIME.

LUXURY OR NECESSITY?

AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION.

A- distinct line of demarcation regarding motor-vehicles utilised for commercial reasons and cars used solely for recreation purposes was drawn by speakers at the meeting of the council of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoon, states the "Post." The remarks made had their origin nn the following motion, moved by Mr L. A. Edwards:— "That discussion be held upon tho followiing resolution passed by the? Otdrohanga Chamber ■. of Commerce:— That the' attention of the Government bo drawn to the fact that all importations from the United States of America of non-essentials, such as motor-cars, etc., should be prohibitod, on the ground's, that (1) such importations take- up valuable shipping space; (2) our money spent in America has to be found by Britain and affects the rate of exchange; (3) all expenditure on non-essentials is at the nresont time distinctly against the public interest; (4) that the Government be asked to take the matter into, immediate consideration. " Mr Bennett seconded, the motion. Mr Edwards said that ho was entirely in accord with the spirit of the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce in. protesting .against luxuries, but pointed out the essential part the motor-car was playing in New Zealand to-day. There seemed, to bo a growing'tendency on the part of those who gave this matter only superficial considera-. lion to think that motor-cars were "rich men's toys"; that they should be specially taxed . for road, upkeep,; and that their importation should be entirely prohibited. He was quite con-; vinced. that this was wrong, and that if importation was not allowed, especirlly during the war, the clock ot progress would be .put. back fifty years. The most essential .industry was that of farming, and nine out of every ten motor-cars were sold to .-farmers. Why? Because the moi.or-oar was the only means of communication tho farm-; er, far removed from the cities, had.-To-day we were faced with the most serious problem in our history, the shortage of nian-power, and at the mntor-car' was withdrawn from thefarmer, how was he to attend... the weekly sales? ■ He had personal knowledge "of men'who had to travel a hundred .miles to these sales and if the farmers were compelled to revert to the horse and trap, then- visits would take three or four days' at. a period wheu their time was of the utmost value. Give the farmer his motor-car and reasonable roads, and one ot-our most seiv.ous problems—getting the young man to go on the land—would solve itself. 'The South Island was unfortunately passing through on© pt the 'most' serious droughts in its history, and his SciUh Island manager had just written to him to state that it it were not for'the motor-cars the farmers would not bo able to carry on their business. And what of the doctor and his motor-car? The doctors had told him. that motor-cars had trebled the medical efficiency, especially -in. the countrv. Tho commercial traveller, too, was able to'do twice the work, with a motor-car as he could without it.,. The railway service was to be very .seriously curtailed' next month, and the motor-car would, to ft; very largo ox-. tent, got over the difficulty,. Motor vehicles, as a means of transit, played ~kr> a very valuable- nart in business., Motor-cai-s' were' being exported front America because no ether country was In n position at present to export them "We don't want any mora of this wild talk regarding the motor-car being noh-e?sbntial," said ~-. Mr Nel-on said he admitted that m. some instances motor-cars were .necessary but ho thought the Government Sid take into consideration tho.adSbline s o limiting the importation o notor-cars that were non-essential. Mi Rogers stated that; the question M stonnma: the importafcon of motorbefore , the, CommonwoaMi Government. about, twelve month| ago when Ml l 'Hughe's was in England, and ho actU-Pnme (Minister had produeeal statistics to show that 90 per cent of the motors imported were |or commercial purposes, o per cent for Bemi-commercial' an 4 ft s .s.ront for pleasure purpose*.. ±l© 1 rfSers) felt convinced that the number of cars imported into Wellington for would not be. .5 pqrcent, but-only 1 per cont.. i^'^j. The subject was - discussed at dength,. Mr Pbrsyth contending that the Govwnmeiit had been .very weaken the mate and should have closed .down .on non-essentials some time ag6, including motor-cars for pleasure purposes,, as vehicles for business ne Mr & C ie M. Luke.(chairman) expressed; the view that it was not .a .matter »f shipping snace, as gome of the vessels, S to "the congestion at oversea Zk had come out to New Zealand, ij E lW'dtirina. the early part of the Sg op*non + that the motorSr"hnd to-a large extent become esSntial but anything they could do, any sacrifice they couhL make for |h© Ser carrying on .of the.war, it.was their solemn and sacred dutv to ; d >,. Mr Edwards then moved:- That, this chamber recommends the. Government to deal - .with the . restriction of. S© importation of proved.. non-essen-tials." - I'-- . ,'■' ' .':'-.• The motion was carried.