GERMAN CARS

Southland Times, Issue 23676, 26 November 1938, Page 18

GERMAN CARS

Market Arrangements In Dominion POSSIBLE ATTITUDE OF MOTOR TRADE The following comment on the marketing of German motor-cars in the Dominion, which is expected to begin shortly, is reprinted from The Radiator, the official organ of the New Zealand Garage Proprietors’ Association (Inc.).

It will be remembered that the Government of New Zealand has made a trade agreement with Germany under which Germany will buy primary products from New Zealand, which will import manufactured and other goods from Germany. It may be accepted that the present importation of German cars is in fulfilment of the trade agreement, and these cars will probably be paid for in terms of New Zealand produce. It should be clearly understood that the views expressed are the editor’s personal opinions. The question whether German cars should be sold by New eZaland motor traders must be viev/ed from a broad angle, otherwise the main underlying principle may be obscured. It is generally admitted that a nation cannot live unto itself, and that if the world is to prosper, and peace to prevail, the trade barriers raised by mo£t countries during recent years must be lowered. Some people hold the opinion that the British Commonwealth of Nations could live unto itself; but this opinion is not shared by the statesmen who are guiding the destinies of the leading nations of the world,

The New Zealand treaty with Germany was made with the approval of the British Government, which would not have been given if the principle underlying / it was considered detrimental; and if this is accepted, we cannot see that any motor trader need hesitate to assist to give effect to New Zealand’s share of the agreement.

The German cars at present being imported into New Zealand are. to be marketed by an organization which has proved itself worthy of the confidence of the motor trade, and the cars will be sold on their merits in competition with those from other countries.

If New Zealand is able to increase her production and export of primary products by reason of the fact that Germany is given a fair share of New Zealand motor-car imports, it may not only help New Zealand, but may prove a factor in improving world conditions, and bringing about a better state of affairs generally. As long as this trade is done on sound competitive lines, as we feel sure it will be, we see m» reason for any member of this association not engaging in the business.