To Get Few More Cars And Bicycles

Chronicle (Levin), 9 May 1949, Page 5

To Get Few More Cars And Bicycles

AUCKLAND, May 8. An increase in the existing allocations for the importation of unasseiribled motor vehicles and bicycles from the United Kingdom, has been announced by the Alinister- of Customs, Air Nash. "It is the desire of the Goverument," said Air Nash, '-'that the fuUest possible provision be made for the transport requirements of the community and to this end a very careful examination of the existing position in regard to the country's income and expenditure, has recently tieen carried out. "As a result of this examination it has been found possible to grant additional lieences for the importation «.f unasseinbled commercial vehicles and unassembled motor cars from the United Kingdom, to the extent of 59 per cent and 25 per cent respectively, of the amounts of the 1948 period lieences granted in respect of similar goods from the same source. ' ' The allocation in respect of bicycles from the United Kingdom has been increased from the existing 50 per cent of the 1946 period licenees to 100 per cent of such licenees. "The present allocation for imporU of motor cycles is also being rfe-exam-ined and an announcement will be made

at an early date if it is possible to make provision for additional imports. "Some consideration has also been given to the question of the importa tion of built-up cars. For the period fo:lowing the war it was found that certain manufacturers in the United King dora were unable to make prompt de liveries of cars in an unassembled state and imports of built-up cars were accordingly permitted under licenee.granted in respect of unassembled vehicles. Provision was also made fo: the importation of limited quantities oi Ihe cars of types which could not read ily be shipped in an unassembled eondi tion. Such cars were mainly of the higli priced type. As supplies of unassemb

led cars are now freely available from the United Kingdom in quantities well in excess of thosfe for the importation of which licenees can at preSent be granted, it has been decided that all future imports of cars intist be in that eondition. It is appreciated that this decision may cause a certain amount of hardship to some firms but it is felt that under existing conditions. the Government 's chief concern should_ be to provide for the importation of the greatest possible number of cars withiii the funds available. Some regard mus: also be had to the fact that several .local industries have been ereated fo: the purpose of assembling motor vehic les in New Zealand and these industries are entitled to a measure of aSsist-' ance. 1 ' Liberal provision has been made and will continue to be made for thihnportation of service parts of all types of vehicles and every endeavour will r>c made to ensure that vehicles at present in use are not immobilised through 'xck of necessary spare parts."