MOTOR IMPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 13

MOTOR IMPORTS

UNASSEMBLED CAES LOWER DUTY SUPPORTED PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN GREATER MARGIN SUGGESTED [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday A discussion on the new motor-car duties took place in the House of Representatives to-day, when that item in the Customs Bill was reached. Mr. W. Nash (Labour—Hutt) complimented the Government on the assistance given to the motor industry in New Zealand by reducing the duty on completely knocked down motor vehicles. Mr. A. E. Ansell (Government— Chalmers) qlso thanked tho Government for what it had done, but said that 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. The Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, said if that were done it might lead to the destruction of the assembling industry. Mr. Ansell suggested that an effort should be 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 greater preference to British cars over American machines. Mr. J. Hargest (Government —Invercontended that it was almost impossible to develop the assembling industry in New Zealand. He said that in a recent month 242 cars were imported, comprising 40 varieties. They could npt expect all the makers to establish factories in New Zealand. He submitted that motor-body builders in cities other than Wellington would be placed at a disadvantage. Mr. Coates said he thought Mr. Hargest was wrong. It was quite possible to build up an efficient assembling industry. Mr. W. Nash said Mr. Hargest had spoken of 40 assembly establishments, but he knew of one firm that made nine makes of cars. After nearly three hours' discussion the item reducing the duty on completely knocked down cars by 5 peY cent was challenged, but after the bells had been rung, it was allowed to pass without a division. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES NEW BUSINESS FOR YEAR [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday The expansion of the Public Trust office over the past 25 .years is reviewed in the annual report tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. In a foreword to the report, the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, says that the business at present dealt with by the 1 department and the reserve of future business are both greater than at any earlier period in the history of the office, and its future development on a sound basis is assured.

The new business reported during last year amounted to £5,468,643, representing an aggregate value of 2637 estates and funds. This was approximately the same volume of business as that reported during the previous year. The total value of estates and funds under the administration of the Public Trustee on March 31 last was £60,760,493, representing an increase of £1,003,044 over the corresponding figure for the previous year. It is stated that the actual increase in the volume of business dealt with was, however, greater than this comparison indicated, for there had been a further fall in the values of some classes of assets. , - The business expansion of the office over the past 25 years was shown bv the following table: — Value of Eetatea • Y ear and Funds 1909 .. • • • • £6,399,567 1914 .. !. . • 12.282.883 1919 .. .. 19,242,347 1924 32 404,724 1929 .. • • • • J934 60,760,493

"My belief that the future development of business on sound lines is assured," says the Prime Minister, "is supported bv the constantly increasing number of wills held on deposit for testators who have appointed the Public Trustee to act as their executor and trustee. During the year, 3651 such wills were deposited with the Public Trustee, and the total number held increased from 79,535 to 81,403. tinware industry EFFECT OF LOWER DUTY REASONABLE REDUCTION [by telegraph— association] WELLINGTON, Friday Dealing with the reduction in the duty on tinware when that item in the Customs Bill was reached by the House of Representatives to-day, tho Leader of tho Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, said a considerable industry had been built up in the Dominion. It was right up-to-date, and if tho lowering of the duty meant that more tinware was to be imported, tho local industry would be affected and people thrown out of work. Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour —Roskill) said the industry had been developed side by side with the dairy industry for the past 40 years. It was only in recent years that Britain came into the' market and made cream cans. The reduction would mean about 3d a year to tho dairy farmer. Tho Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, said the industry was a big one, and was efficient in all departments. His aim was to give the country the cheapest possible service. The industry had been built up under a tariff of 25 per cent. The making of milk and cream was only a small part of that industry. He contended the reduction was reasonable and might mean more efficiency, as it left a little moro room for competition. Tho manufacturers had now received practically what they had asked for, compared with the earlier .recommendation. Tho item was passed.