EXTRAVAGANT EXPENDITURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1071, 4 March 1913, Page 2

EXTRAVAGANT EXPENDITURE.

“Notwithstanding all the warning uttered by the press and by responsible men,” said Mr Eliott at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce recently, when discussing the Dominion’s finance, “there seems to be little inclination on the part of the citizens generally to curb extravagant expenditure.” The introduction of the motor car had,, he thought, done much to encourage individual extravagance, and had been a factor in increasing our imports very largely. Within recent years, said Mr Eliott, something like ,£3,000,000 had been spent in motor cars and motor cycles throughout the Dominion, without taking into account the large and recurring amounts for spare parts, tyres, oil, benzine or spirit. In the march ot civilisation the motor was replacing the horse, which was bred in the country, the vehicle drawn by the horse, which was built in the country, and the feed for the horse which was grown in the country. While not condemning the motor car, he was satisfied that its importation and use assisted in upsetting to some extent tor the moment our financial equilibrium.