BUOYANT INDUSTRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 3 December 1927, Page 13

BUOYANT INDUSTRY

In a review of British trade that appealed recently in Homo journals, it is stated that the British motor car industry must be included among the “sheltered trades” that are doing well. “At present about 700,00 motoring licenses have been issued, and extension of the hire-purchase system promise to expand tho possible sale of motor cars almost indefinitely. Apparently people earning from £4OO to £6OO a year can now possess a small car. This figure is interesting, as Judge Crawford, speaking with the authority of a county court judge and a long experience of debts and debtors, has announced that £l5OO a year was the minimum income justifying the purchase of a motor car. Leaders in the motor industry at once denounced Judge Crawford’s statement as “childish.” They point out that the purchase of a popular twoseater. after the initial 25 per cent, deposit has been paid, amounts to no morethan 30s a week over a period ot 18 months, and that very few people who buy cars on the hire system fail to meet their commitments. With an average of 13 000 miles a year a small car should not cost more than IJd a mile, inclusive of tyro renewal, petrol, oil, spares, garage expenses, and repairs.