VISITOR FROM DETROIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 178, 18 October 1927, Page 7

VISITOR FROM DETROIT

MOTOR ADVERTISING EXPERT An outstanding visitor to the motor trade in Auckland during the past week was Mr. Frank B. Amos, of the automobile division of the great advertising house of Harrison Phelps, Detroit, U.S.A. Mr. Amos is himself an automobile man. having been with the Studebaker Corporation at one time, and latterly with the Dodge Bros.’ organisation. The advertising for Dodge cars is carried out by his company, and Mr. Amos is enabled to render first-hand co-operation between the two companies. In the course of a long conversation. Air. Amos talked on such widelyvaried subjects as the organisation of the English motor trade, the possibility of a new Ford, his travels in various parts of the world, the exports of Dodge cars, emigration laws, traffic congestion in America, and motor body building in Australia. But whateVer Mr. Amos mentioned he spoke with accurate knowledge. TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN U.S.A. Mr. Amos referred to the increasing traffic congestion in American cities, and explained that the relief in congestion lay in providing a car with extremely fast pick-up, and when needed, ability to stop quickly. These requirements are now being met by most manufacturers, and for example the new Dodge car meets these demands. When questioned, Mr. Amos did not think there was much possibility of many of the American factories catering specially for New Zealand’s needs. He gave the case of the Dodge organisation, which exports only 17 per cent, of its total new cars, of which possibly 25 per cent, to 30 per cent, come to Australia and New Zealand. This means that New Zealand shares with Australia only about 5 per cent, of the output of the factory. One result of this is that the big American trend toward closed cars -is reflected by the preponderance of closed cars over open

ones arriving here. In fact, he gave it as his opinion that some American manufacturers would not make open cars at all, but for their export trade in hot countries. The Dodge Company has an assembling plant in Australia, and uses as much Australian material in the body building as possible, so that at the present time 60 per cent, of the cost of the car remains in Australia in payment for material and labour. Mr. Amos does not think, however, that these is any possibility of these Australian-made Dodges being sold in New Zealand. IMPRESSIONS OF ENGLAND Mr. Amos is very proud of his English descent, and despite his connection with American business, would like to see his mother country prosperous. “There is nothing I would like better than to see England get back to a strong economic position, for I love the country, and I love the people.” He felt, however, that the English prejudice against learning from a foreigner, an attitude he knew of with his own forefathers, were standing in the way of many of the English factories becoming organised on the lines that had proved so successful in America. When he was in London recently and saw the unemployed, he states thatfhe badly wanted to line up a million *>r so of them and take them back to profitable work in American factories, but, of course, the emigration laws are against that. MUCH-TRAVELLED MAN Mr. Amos has been round the world several times. On the present tour he left Detroit on September 2, came through Canada to New Zealand, and after covering the whole country he will go on to Australia. This trip is what he calls a Southern Hemisphere one, for after that he will go on to South Africa and South America, returning home in about eight months. He has not been to New Zealand before, but nearly visited us about three years ago from Java, but went on to India instead. How these Americans do travel! METAL AND GLASS POLISH Mix one part wheat flour, five parts of dry powdered fire or potter’s clay, and use with a damp woollen cloth. This will be found the finest polish ever used and is cheap. It cannot be surpassed for cleaning fly specks, grease, paint, and other stains from glass and metal. Another mixture for cleaning glass—windows, windshields, mirror lense, is half alcohol, or methylated spirits, and half water, which will readily clean off dirt and leave a bright polish. Apply with soft cloth or piece of tissue paper.