MOTOR OLYMPIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 3

MOTOR OLYMPIA

PAGEANT OF PROGRESS. MEMORIES OF FIRST VEHICLES. “I would like to congratulate the Mnnawatu Motor Traders’ Association upon their enterprise in holding this display,” commented Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., when opening the Motor Olympia at the Spring Show yesterday afternoon. “For some years we had excellent exhibition at our Shows,” he added, “hut unfortunately they were not carried on. However, I trust that this year is only the beginning, and that the good feeling existing between the A. and P. Association and the motor traders will be further cemented, so that we shall definitely establish yearly an Olympia that will bo second to none in New Zealand.

“When we look at the very fine show of cars at this Olympia, our minds run back to the beginning of the century, when the ownership of a car was the sign of wealth, To-day the working man can own one: Cars in their infancy were very ungainly to look at. Their lines were taken from the horse carriage which they were displacing. Those who were brave enough to ride in them were perched , high in the air, and without a scrap of protection from the elements. The engines were unreliable compared with those that, drive our cars to-day. Altogether, motoring in those days was not something to be taken lightly. It was an adventure.

“Motoring to-day is a pleasure,” added Mr Nash. “Cars are well designed and calculated to please the most fastidious, the engines being economical and silent in operation. Almost everyone is a car owner or passenger, and almost every activity of the present generation depends upon a car. “Now the car has passed through the stages of novelty and hobby until it is basically a pure social necessity and accepted adjunct to almost every household,” continued the speaker. “Who would live in the country without a car? The country dweller can have his lunch in town and be 100 miles away by dinner time. “The number of English cars now being manufactured is a very gratifying feature. Up to 1930 foreign made cars were by far the most popular, but since then the English car has gone ahead immensely, owing to such men ns Lord Nuffield. Now we have former foreign manufacturers introducing mass production in England.

“The recent revision of the tariffs has offered greater facilities to'the British manufacturer, particularly in assembling cars here in New Zealand. This, in turn, provides employment for our own people, and a system that should bo encouraged.

“Please accept my congratulations on your very fine exhibition. I trust that good business will result from it, and that next year we shall see an even larger display. I now have pleasure in declaring this Motor Olympia duly opened.” The president of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association (Mr D. Collis), who also spoke, expressed his gratification at the large attendance, stating that the splendid weather had undoubtedly brought the people out. He added that the display of cars was a very line one, and the motor traders were to be congratulated on their enterprise. He added that lie had not, in liis travels round the country, seen such a magnificent exhibition of motor vehicles.

Large crowds visited the Olympia to inspect the very modern models which were on view.