HINT THAT IMPORTS OF MOTOR-CARS WILL NOT BE DECREASED

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 September 1950, Page 5

HINT THAT IMPORTS OF MOTOR-CARS WILL NOT BE DECREASED

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).—A hint that the number of motor cars to be imported into the country would not be reduced in the next import licensing schedule was given by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Bowden) in an address tonight. Speaking at the function of the Auckland Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, he said that certain items were deferrred from the last import schedule for further consideration.

“I am not. able to indicate what is being done by the Import Advisory Committee about motor cars, but I can say that the number to be imported will not be less than this year,” said Mr. Bowden. “I am very hopeful of doing better in regard to commercial vehicles. The import of commercial vehicles has a great bearing on the farming industry and also the defence problems of the country.” No one knew what was going to happen in the next few months and a rise in the price of many commodities was possible, but he considered that New Zealand should try to improve its fleet of commercial vehicles to a great degree.

Mr Bowden said the Government believed that business was best left in the hands of those competent to carry it out. The Government had already given some evidence of this belief, and he hoped that more would be done when the opportunity offered. It was certainly no pleasure for him to refuse import applications, but the Government had to consider the balance of payments situation. New Zealand was sending representatives to the tariffs and trade conference at Torquay as |t was desirable that, the country should piny its part in international affairs. Two paramount considerations that would be in the minds of delegates were that New Zealand had the liveliest sense of maintaining Imperial preference. and also that New Zealand had \aluable secondary industries that were economic and competent. Mr. Bowden said the growth of the second, ary industries in New Zealand showed that it was proper to take them into consideration in shaping’the country’s overseas trade policy. There was no reason why industries should not continue to progress.