MOTOR VEHICLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23806, 12 May 1939, Page 10

MOTOR VEHICLES

IMPORTATION CONDITIONS NEW ASSEMBLY PROVISIONS IMPETUS TO LOCAL INDUSTRY (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. May 11. Amended conditions relating to the importation of unassembled motor vehicles are set out in determinations published in the Gazette issued this evening. They are dated April 29. and are signed by the Minister of Customs (Mr W. Nash). The new determinations will become operative on October 1 next, when they will replace those at present in force. The purpose of the determinations is to prescribe the condition of disassembly in which motor vehicles must be imported in order to qualify for entry at the concessional rates of duty set out in item No, 389 (A) of the Customs tariff. The present determinations have been in force since September 1, 1935. These are now being revised with a view to requiring that additional work should be performed in connection with the completion of the vehicles in New Zealand. The following are the main aspects in which the determinations have been amended: — Upholstery Materials (other than of Wool).—These are at present admitted as part of the vehicle if cut and preliminarily sewn. In future their importation will not be permitted in any form whatever. Batteries. —In future only New Zealand-made batteries shall be used in the completion of the vehicles. Bumper Bars.—ln future these will be admitted only in the form of rough stampings or metal sections, unmachined and not plated. All machining and plating will have to be done in New Zealand. Motor Car Bodies—These can at present be imported in the form of a “shell,” having a priming coat of paint. They will continue to be admitted in the form of a “shell,” but may not be advanced beyond a stage of manufacture where only the necessary welding processes have been performed. Undercarriage Springs for Commercial Vehicles.—lt will be necessary in future for these to be made in New Zealand.

Seat Springs Assemblies for all Steel Cabs for Trucks and Vans.— Importation will not be permitted. Doors for all-steel cabs for trucks and vans are to be imported unassembled.

It is expected that the modifications, particularly in respect of upholstery, batteries, bumper bars, undercarriage springs, and seat spring assemblies for commercial vehicles, will prove of considerable assistance to the particular industries concerned in supplying such goods. It is expected also that as a result of the restrictions placed on the importation of completely assembled vehicles under the Import Licensing Regulations considerable employment will be created in the completion in the Dominion of vehicles which will be imported in an unassembled condition in lieu of vehicles hitherto imported complete.