THE MOTOR TRADE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 147, 9 July 1937, Page 6

THE MOTOR TRADE

Tremendous Development in Twenty Years RECORD IMPORT FIGURES. Tbe tremendous development of tho automobile industry and its offshoots during the last two decades was remarked upon by several speakers at last nigbt's smoke concert of thet Wellington" Motor Trade and AUied Associations. It was stated that so far 1937 bid fair to be a record year for tbe trade . "Tbe motor trade bas entercd into tbe ilvos of tbe people so mucb tbat to-day we are carrying on one of tbe greatesl industrles in Kew Zealand," said tbe cbairman, Mr H. Andefson. " it is one of tbe largest employexs and one of tbe largest taxpayers. ' ' Similar remarks were made by Mr Ashcroft Edwards, tOasting '♦Tbe Motor Trade and Allied Assoeiations." "I bave seen tbe trade almost from its inception," be said. "It is amazing bow, in wbat seems a small space of time, it bas developed into one of the greatest businesses in tbe Dominion.'' 'For many years 1929 was regarded' as a peak year. It was thought tbat I such figures would never be attained again," said Mr J. F. Cousins, of tbo Kew Zealand Garage Proprietors' Association . "But now a now record bas beon set. Tbe June returns of automobile saies wero far ahcad of anytbing we bave ever dreamed of. They were 30 pcr cent. better tban those- of tbe same period of last year." Speaking for tbe importers of motorvehieles, Mr G. H. Scott remarked tbat tbe first tabulated official figures he could find for the imports of motor•urs, motor-cycles, and materials sbowcd that in 1906 such imports ottalled £17,756. "I should like you to compare tbat witb tbe total imports of tbe motor industry in 1936 — £5,534,000," be said.