ASSEMBLING OF CARS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 252, 21 September 1934, Page 8

ASSEMBLING OF CARS.

THE NEW RATES OF DUTY. DEBATE IN~THE HOUSE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. During the debate on the schedule of the Customs Acts Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives, Mr A. E. Ansell, following Mr W. Nash, also thanked the Government for what it had done regarding the assembling of motor car bodies, but said on small English cars the margin of duty between the completely knocked down car and the complete car unboxed was only £4. He thought it should be greater if it was desired to get people to invest capital in that industry. He suggested that spare parts should come in on the same basis as completely knocked down cars. Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said if that were done it might lead to the destruction of the assembling industry. Mr Ansell suggested that an effort should bo made to induce American car manufacturers, instead of sending their cars to Canada to be assembled, to have the assembling done in New Zealand. Several members appealed to the Minister to give larger preference to British cars over American machines. Mr J. Hargest contended that it was almost impossible to develop the assembling industry in New Zealand. He said that in a recent month 242 cars had been imported, comprising forty varieties. They could not expect all makers to establish factories in New Zealand. He submitted that the motor body builders in the cities other than Wellington would be placed at a disadvantage. Mr Coates thought Mr Hargest was quite wrong. It was quite possible to build up an efficient assembling industry.

Mr W. Nash said Mr Hargest spoke of forty assembly establishments, but he knew of one firm that made nine makes of car.

The adjournment for luncheon was then taken.