THE WAR AND AFTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19866, 14 June 1927, Page 7

THE WAR AND AFTER

BRITAIN’S TRADE Motor Traders’ Delegation Entertained in Capital CABS FOR THE DOMINION . [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 13. A dinner was tendered the British Motor Trade Delegation to-night by the Association of British Manufacturers ' and Agents. The president, in proposing the toast of “Our Guests,” said the question of freights was one of the most important that had to be faced in connection with the Home Trade, as it affected not only British manufacturers but also- the price of the Dominions’ produce. In that respect the Empire’s competitors had an advantage. Road construction, taxation and general economic conditions all came into the question, making for the turning out of useful light cars. That was what the New Zealand conditions required. England was fast recovering her position in the motorcycle trade, and he hoped the same remark would soon apply to the light cars. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) extended greetings on behalf of the Maori race. During inquiries at Home, he said, he had not concerned himself so much with the nilPstinn tn wknt

question as to what type of machine wa> suitable for New Zea land, as whether th British manufacturers were interested in New Zealand’s re requirements. Then were about 163,000 re gistered motor cycles in the Dominion, am on a population basisthat was a fairly large

number. Many reasons were given why American cars had got the lead in New Zealand but he was now sure that there were British cars equally as good as tho American manufacturers’. Regarding the position of British car manufacture, Sir Archibald BoydCarpcnter affirmed that before the war the English people had been greatly hampered by excessive taxation levelled. Any community who was responsible for that burden he would not indicate, but the past was there and after the outbreak of war England was still more heavily handicapped and taxed, and her factories had to be devoted to munition-making and guns. Then England’s competitors took advantage of their opportunity and obtained the markets that had hitherto been hers. After the war the burdens became almost insuperable and England then had to pay back what had been borrowed to help the Allies. In the far-flung Dominions, he said, let them pray that out of God’s providence they would get closer together, because the common weal of the Empire depended on it. British inter-im-perial trade was a burning question, and must be faced. When it came to the final test, England preferred honour to self-seeking and let her trade go in order that her ideals might finally triumph.