TRADE IN EMPIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1931, Page 7

TRADE IN EMPIRE

BUSINESS MAINTAINED. BRITISH MOTOR IMPORTS. WELLINGTON, November 20. Although business generally between New Zealand and other countries has recently laden sharply away, goods from the United Kingdom have not suffered to the same extent as imports from foreign countries. In commenting upon this fact Mr L. Ashcroft Edwards, president of the British (U.K.) Manufacturers’ Associa_ tion, said at the annual meeting that the motor-car sales, were a case in point. This was borne out by the fact that for the last twelve months the total sales had fallen 58.3 per cent but British sales had only fallen 22.6 per cent, based o,n 1930 figures. It was interesting to note the progress that United Kingdom moto. vehicles had made. In 1924. the percentage of United Kingdom vehicles sold in relation to the whole was 4 per cent, while in 1931 the proportion had risen’to 38.15, the highest individua month being 48 per cent. “This happy state of affairs is very largely due to the activities of this association,” he said, “and is upon our local prosperity by enabling United Kingdom mechanics to purchas more of our primary produce.”