BRITISH OR AMERICAN CAR?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 438, 21 August 1928, Page 7

BRITISH OR AMERICAN CAR?

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL County Councils and other local bodies who state publicly that they have a policy of buying British goods in preference to foreign wherever possible, are apparently watched overseas. The discussion which took place at the Manakau County Council a few months ago over the purchase of an American or British car, has found an echo in the July issue of the Overseas Bulletin of the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. After mentioning that the New South Wales Government purchase British motor-vehicles at the rate of about £50,000 per annum, the article gives a summary of the discussion at the Manukau Council meeting, referring particularly to the fact that the chairman expressed the view that. American cars were more comfortable and that British manufacturers did not construct models to suit colonial conditions. The article concludes by saying: “The experiences which have led South Africa and Australia to give preference to the British-made vehicle would seem to point to the fact that the chairman of the Manukau County Council is hardly correct, for it is hardly to be conceived that two such important markets as those mentioned would express themselves so emphatically in favour of British made vehicles if such models wore unsuitable for colonial conditions.”

NOVEL SIX-WHEELER “GUY” TRUCK FOR AFRICA The appearance of the six-wheeled vehicle opened up an entirely new phase in the utility of motor transport, and the adaptability of this type of vehicle for undertaking work which would otherwise not be possible has already been abundantly shown. In a recent issue of “Motor Transport” (England is described a particularly novel six-wheeler, built by Guy Motors, Limited, of Wolverhampton, for service in British East Africa. The vehicle is to be used for clearing bush land and in order that it may discharge this duty a special Vshaped girder arrangement has been fitted to the front of the vehicle, upon which are fitted a series of sharp plates. The framework carrying these plates is so arranged as to allow for traversing uneven ground, and it is claimed that bush up to 6in in thickness can be cut through. In addition the vehicle is fitted with a winch gear for pulling down trees and this serves the dual purpose also of permitting the vehicle to extract itself from boggy ground.

ANCIENT AND MODERN IN JAPAN In an impressive ceremony that was born in the mists of history, but will not be untouched in some of its phases by modernity, Hirohito, present Emper of Japan, will be officially crowned head of the Imperial household at midnight. November 11, in the ancient capital of Kyoto, some 300 miles from Tokyo. More than 4.000 people will witness the coronation, including the royal family. Government and other officials and members of the foreign diplomatic corps. Ten specially built automobiles —all equipped with tyres manufactured by the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company—have been ordered for the royal family to be used in transporting them and members of the nobility to and from the ceremony. Formerly the Emperor and Empress had been driven in the Imperial carriage drawn by six horses, but it is believed that this time the convenience of modern transportation will be utilised.