NOT UNDERSTOOD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 413, 3 November 1930, Page 9

NOT UNDERSTOOD

“THE TIMES” DEFENDS POST-WAR DIFFICULTIES CARELESS CRITICS Under recent date (August 30), “The Times” Engineering Supplement contains the following pertinent comments:— It is distinctly cheering to learn on the authority of the Society of Motor Manufactureres and Traders that the British motor industry has not yet suffered from the prevailing trade depression to the extent apparent in some other cases. From January to July the excess of exports over im ports was £3,015,269, compared witn £1,628,141 in the same period in 1929. Unhappily, the future cannot be viewed without anxiety, for the progress upon general improvement in the standard of living and the stabilisation of prices on an economic level, but there is little doubt that reciprocal tariff arrangements with the British Empire overseas wiould greatly benefit the British industry. Fortunately, the stocks of British cars abroad are not excessive, and it is very significant that many large agents in all parts of tho world, formerly representing foreign makers, arc pressing for British agencies. Unjustified Criticism It is to be hoped that the memorandum just issued by the society from which wc have taken the foregoing facts will receive as much prominence in the Press, not only in Great Britain, but throughout the Empire, as has been accorded in recent years to the incessant criticism of the British motor industry. Letters have been received from all parts of the world complaining of the supposed lack of enterprise of British firms. No sooner did a correspondent take pen in hand to dilate on the opportunities for British trade abroad than he at once fell on the unfortunate motor manufacturers and held them up as an example to be avoided; indeed, it has almost beemeu that, the motor trade was specially marked out for adverse criticism. Foitunatcly the explanation is not far to seek. Motor-cars artthe most likely objects to catch the eye in public thoroughfares, and the preponderance of foreign cars has been obvious. The writers made their own deducations from what they saw, and being without technical guidance, arrived at totally erroneous conclusions. The Other Side Certain facts, to which we have given prominence, if known to the suit’appointed critics, would have led them to exen-.se greater restraint. First, it should nave been remembered that the mc.tor industry developed very rapidly while this country was bending all its energies on winning the War; that fact gave the United States an immense advantage, though it is to be noted that in tho kind of motor vehicles that were used for transport, the manufacture of which was pursued for the purposes of the War, British makers have never been excelled. Perhaps ii would have been the same in the case of private cars if there had been no war. but it should be remembered that from time to time an individual genius emerges, and it so happened *bat Henry Ford emerged In the United States at exactly the most opportune moment for him. He devised and standardised a car to suit American conditions, and it was his good fortune to find similar conditions in other parts of the world, particularly the ti('w countries, lie created a world-wide soiling organisation, and at the end of the War he was strongly cstabH«hed abroad, and. being assured an immense homo market by tho American tariff, ho had been able to take full advantage of mass production and mass distribution. The Cost of Progress Such being the conditions created partly by the genius of Mr Ford and partly by the force of circumstances, it must be clear to anyone with the slightest knowledge of business that the British makers at the close of the War were faced with an extremely difficult task. They set about it courageously and they can look with satisfaction on the result of their efforts. The Br'Ysh nation rightly holds in high honour those brave spirits whu, at the risk of their lives, have forced the world tc revise its opinion of British djsigr, construction, and work manshio. It can only dep.orc the loss of those s f iendid men who gave all, for if peace has its victories not less than wa-, it is unhappily, often at the cost of valuable human lives. We have n-'ver believed in the ostrich policy; if there are points in the national •eonomy that cali for attention, by

all means let us lace the facts aid lir.d a rem< < y. but it would be a good thing lot British industry if its critics would withhold their stricture* until they are assured that thev ha\e beard the, other side. Case for Adjustment. The dissatisfaction caused in New Zealand by Canada's ban on her but ter has tad a speedy sequel. The N't Zee.land Government has decided t’>,U Canadian motor vehicles and ar.-es sorus shall be subject to all the general duties in force before the rce ”t. revinmi of the tariff. This means il;e rates on trucks and chassis will he in.’tea.<'i from 10 per cent, to -5 per cent, and those on complete rs from 20 , ci cent, to 50 per cent. The significance of the decision may be gauged from the fact that Canada’s exports of * ar> to New Zemai <i last ysai amounted in value to £1.303,000. British muter lb ms will no doubt be k -e.tly intenntea in tho new development. Their products have been steadily gaining in fa four recently, and in the first, qua.-tei cf this year they increased their percentage of the value of motor vehicle imports, while tho percentage of both (nnada and America declined. With larifl rates still more in their favour Ihi- sales of British cars and lorries shon.d show further progress, but wc tir.corely hope that Canad.i and New Zealand will adjust their difficulties without dolav.