TRADE’S CO-OPERATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 January 1940, Page 10

TRADE’S CO-OPERATION

WELLINGTON, 9th January. The motor trade in New Zealanc has accepted the announced restrictions on imports from the basis of wai conditions, and is prepared to carry or under reduced stocks with the objeci of making its contribution to winnin* the war. In the two months that hav< passed since it was announced that th« motor trade would be dealt with separ ately under the import licenses, importers began to fear tha'. no license! would be forthcoming for the first sb ’ months of 1940; so that now the trad< ' is rather gratified at the licenses tha , have been granted. > Motor importers appreciate the fac ; that sterling funds have to be con . served within the Empire, and realis< . that the restrictions have to be ac ■ cepted as a war measure. It wa; i stated to-day that the trade was agree ■ ably surprised at getting a license fo: the first half of this year. The restric t tions were disappointing from somi l angles and pleasing from others. [ A disappointing feature was that no | vehicles could be imported from | Canada. Canada, a member of the - trade said, was part of the Empire, and it was felt that vehicles should come ! from that Dominion, particularly as the Canadian vehicle was eminently j suitable for certain conditions in New > Zealand. At present, 40 per cent of . the market was Canadian, and con- * sisted almost entirely of high-power l cars. The English market, to which ; imports were confined, consisted large- " ly of cars from 14 horse-power down, t The three biggest assembly plants in New Zealand, at Petone, would be conducted under very reduced output this year because of the exclusion of Canada. USED CARS AND PETROL Generally speaking, the effect on used cars will be to harden up the prices a little, but that is dependent, to some degree, on what petrol r 'frictions will be imposed. The lack of a definite statement on the matter is having an effect on the car market, as a person will not readily buy a car until he knows how much—or little—petrol he can get. It is felt that it would be to the advantage of the trade if the Government announced immediately what its intentions are. Pleasure was expressed to-day at the removal of the restriction on the importation of spare parts. There is no vital scarcity of parts, and certainly no shortage that would hold up vehicles; and now that the restrictions have been removed the position will be completely eased. Only completely knocked-down cars, chassis, and commercial vehicles are now allowed to enter the country, but under these heads are allowed cars in “shell” form; that is, cars on which panels have already been welded. All ■ the finishing work is done in New Zealand. The decision to admit “shell” | cars was to meet certain English | firms.