MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1920, Page 10

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

So far as the incident of the new taxation on British motorists is concerned, the arguments brought forward by the Government, says the '•Autocar," are singularly unconvincing. A great deal is said about the impossibility of retaining the motor spirit duty, particularly iu respect to its collection, but no facts are vouchsafed. Sir Eric Geddes (Minister of Transport) seems quite prepared to play to the gallery, and to impress upon the gullible that it is the "luxury" car owner who will be hit. Sir Eric's definition of a luxury car owner appears to be the man who works hard all through the week, and can drive only on Saturday and Sunday. In the debate on the Budget resolutions, the Minister of Transport said: —"The more a man used his car the less will the tax hit him. Briefly, the car owner who uses his car only for week-ends, and who keeps it as a luxury, and does not use it regularly like a doctor, is the man who is worst hit." On the face of it the statement is a remarkable one to come from a Minister who is proposing new taxation for the maintenance of road surfaces. It would indeed be difficult to imagine anything more farcical than the serious advocacy of a system of taxation that makes the hard-working week-end motorist pay for the road, wear caused by his more fortunate neighbour who can use his car freely all the week. If a man had not the car, he would probably take up some other form of recreation or pastime of less general benefit to the community in that he might not give employment in the many industries connected with the construction, repair, operation and equipment of the car, to say nothing of the catering, as in touring, etc.. According to the report of the commercial secretary to the British Embassy at Washington, the United States Government, has been experimenting for some months on motor express routes for the transportation of mails and food stuffs, and the results have been so beneficial and have so convinced the Post Office authorities of the possibilities of the motor vehicle as a factor in transportation that Congress wa3 asked to grant an additional appropriation for the extension of the routes to other parts of the nonntry. Further experiments were authorised early in the year when an appropriation of 300,000 dollars (nominally £60,000) was granted a proviso being that the tests should be made by the P. O. Department to determine the practicability of operating motor vehicles with a view to promoting the conservation of food by expediting its collection and delivery from producers to consumers, and also with a view to facilitating the quick delivery of fourth-class mail matter. Much interest was manifested in the experiments by the staff, and the results throughout arc considered satisfactory in every respect. According to the report, the revenue on the operations of five motor routes, from July last to September 30th was 81 cents per mile, while the cost ranged from 15 to *25 cents per mile. Tlje five routes covered a distance of D 03.8 miles daily, at an estimated annual cost of 67,500 dollars. The total distance covered during the period amounted to 63,740 miles, and a total of 354 tons of mail matter, approximating 118 tons per month, was transported by these motor vehicles. There was a time in the development of the bicycle when component makers were as busy as manufacturers of the complete bicycles, and discriminating cyclists had their machines built to order and to their own specifications. Will such a state of things ever happen in the motor-car market? There are now in England and America manufacturers of components of evexy part necessary for the construction of motor vehicles. Firms specialising in engines only; others specialise in gearboxes, others in back axles, others in pressed frames, others in radiators. In fact, it is possible to buy components and erect complete cars without manufacturing any unit of importance. Some of the best known American cars imported in to this country are assembled cars, the various units being manufactured by different component manufacturers. There is nothing bad about, this method of car manufacture. Indeed, some of these cars can be made and sold at a price below that at which a car completely manufactured "by one firm could be supplied, and since the various components are generally made on mass production and to interchangeable jig work, the results from the workmanship and material point of view are as good as could be got in the works of the manufacturer of the complete car. The .assembling of known and proved components allows of the small manufacturer giving good "value and highclass work and varying the design and general arrangement to suit a wide field by buyers and users. The phase of car manufacture is one that will yet be taken lip in a big way in the Commonwealth just a bicycle building from component parts gradually grew in this country until the imported complete machine was practically a thing of the past. The extraordinary high price of 425. per yard is now the market price for high grade motor tyre duck in the world's leading cotton centres. As it is one of the essentials in motor cover making, this high figure has already resulted in several tyres in the Australian market being again advanced in price. When it is mentioned that 5s 9d per yard was about the pre-war prjee of motor duck, it will be realised what tyre makers have at present to contend with. What has the motor-car done? That changes in custom and habit are attributed to its use? AYbat great benefits are due to its introduction and worldwide acceptance? Let us see. We know that the motor-car has created wealth bv increasing land values. The. motor-car has made land accessible everywhere. This one item is mighty important and should not be. under estimated. for, in the total aggregate, the increased values would he staggering to contemplate. It is a fact, too, that, the automobile has brought the farmer close to his markets, making farming more profitable and pleasant. A volume could lie written on this subject alone. The farmer and the automobile are almost insparable to-day. The farmer has benefited as much as anyone. The motor-ear has enabled the physician to [ save time in reaching bis patients and to save lives in many instances. Think of the physician today going about with a horse and buggy. Be would be ridiculed, almost. He would be ten years behind the times. The motor-car has

increased the personal efficiency of all business men who have availed themselves of its time and labour-saving advantages. The car means more time to him, move action, greater eiuln.ivoar. The automobile hag aided the salesman

to cover move t-jnitorv in less tinio, to do his work better, quicker and at less expense. The automobile, as we know, furnishes a means of healthful recreation for all. Think of the benefits of outings, tours and short trips. It means the country, fresh air, baclc to linture. The automobile has increased the economic wealth of the country by orratipcr a new business giant. It has stimulated greater sociability among farmers and encouraged them to mod-' cruise their methods and their homes. It has demonstrated the economy and superiority of motor transportation for all commercial uses. Truly, the automobile has meant much to all civilised p.irts of the world, and it was the juration of the Dunlop rheumatic tyrethat made all this possible.