MOTOR INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 7

MOTOR INDUSTRY

PARLIAMENTARY VISIT

Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., who believes that a lowering of the tariff wall on motor parts and raw materials will relieve t unemployment in New Zealand, arranged for a visit • of members of Parliament to the works of General Motors, Ltd., at Petone, this morning. The party included the Hon. E. A. and. Mrs. Ransom, the Hon. "VV. A. Vcitch, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Mr. H. E. Holland and his son, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Ansell, Mr. X., Mrs., and Miss M'Keen, Mr. and Mrs. T. Healy, Mr. J. W. Munro, Mr. F. Langstone, Mr. Gt. E. Sykes, and Mr. P. Fraser. Mr. Nash introduced the party to the manager, Mr. M(Hardy Foreman, who piloted the party round the works.

The large amount of material, some entirely produced in New Zealand and some manufactured in New Zealand from imported material, was displayed. The collection covered a large range of New Zealand woods, used in. the bodywork of cars, woollen material, cushion springs, bumpers, glass for windows and wind-screens, door locks, cushion padding, and a host of other items. The' most convincing demonstration from an employment point of - view •waa a comparison between the amount of labour. employed on cars imported assembled and that employed on cars assembled in New Zealand. A wellJcnown make of car imported from England was unboxed in the presence of the party, the whole operation being done in what equalled four hours' work for one man. The car was then ready for the road. The firm proposes shortly to assemble- another model of the same make of car in New Zealand, and it is estimated that the work on this, will be equal to'l6o hours for one man. This is, of course, only the factory employment, and if was pointed out that by the use of New Zealand material the employment given would he increased enormously. This car, imported assembled, costs £4.40. If assembled here, the management believes it could be sold at under £.400.

At present, it was ■ stated, no discrimination is made in the tariff on bodies fully assembled, as against parts and material imported for < assembly. Mr. Na3h said he believed that employment in New Zealand could be very largely increased if the duty on parts and raw materials which. cannot be produced in New Zealand were abolished. The manager stated that last December 459 men were employed in the factory, but at present only 265 were employed. Another Parliamentary party will visit the works next Wednesday.