CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 10

CORRESPONDENCE

DGMONT CLIMBING RECORDS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent “Old Climber” persistently disbelieves the times put up by various climbers on Egmont, and for his special benefit I would advise him that Mr. J. P. Murphy can vovajh for most of the times recorded, and “Old Climber” should have no difficulty in ascertaining the qualities of the timepieces at the Dawson Falls hostel. On the 24-hour trip, I left my hat at the crater and this was found by another climber next day. On the 2£-hour trip, Mr. Murphy honoured me by accepting my statement that 1 reached the summit. I feel sure that Mr. Murphy would be pleased to give any information in regard to these trips if approached in a proper manner. Evidently my acceptance of his challenge caused “Old Climber” to suffer a heart attack. After boasting that I would have an extremely difficult task to pass him in a race (granting a start of more than an hour) he does not intend giving me the opportunity, which looks as though he wants something to growl about. Lev “Old Climber” keep to his part of the bargain and he will find I am not lacking in enthusiasm. I can assure your correspondent that the ascent and descent in 2£ hours is not an “every-day” performance; it is a gruelling test oi stamina and I have done it only twice in 23 climbs. If “Old Climber" wants etill more proof that this time is possible he should keep to his challenge (when he may possibly believe his own eyes); otherwise he knows what to do. —l‘nm. etc., H. MURRAY. Eltham, April 11, 1928. EXPENDITURE ON MOTOR-CARS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I see the motorists are squealling that they are too heavily taxed! On°tho contrary they don't contribute anything like what they should d« to the revenue of the country. I have no hesitation in saying that one of the principal (if not the principal) causes of the present depression and want of employment, from which we are all suffering, has been and is, the constant sending of money out of the -nuntry to pay for new motor-cars, a .cry large percentage of which are used for joyriding only, and not 10 per cent, of which are paid for at time of purchase, but are purchased on tire instalment system. As a consequence of this constant drain on the purchasers pocket, the butcher and the baker, etc., have to go short, and wait for their money, the house is allowed to go unpainted, the furniture, etc., is of the fa-antiest and commonest description, in fact, everything has to give way, because of the necessity of keeping up the payments on the car. I am in business myself, and time and time again when I have been endeavouring to sell an article of my own manufacture, the cost of making which has been entirely distributed amongst the workers of this town, I have been met with the statement, ‘‘Yes, I’d like to have it, but I really can’t afford it, I’ve just bought a new car.” Had it not come under my own personal notice I would never have believed the idiotic lengths to which some people will go in order to get an article they can’t afford, which is only used for pleasure, and which is a constant expense as long as it exists, as depreciation, insurance, oil, petrol, etc., etc., must 'be paid for if the oar is used at all.

I heard of a case only a few months ago of a man who purchased a car. In order to pay for it he raised part of the money by borrowing, giving the fire policy on his furniture as security. The house was the property of his widowed daughter, with whom he lived, and she came to the rescue by borrowing on this, up to about 7'5 per cent, of its value. Not long after both a-u.se and furniture were destroyed by fire. The motor-car remains practically the sole asset. Nor is this an isolated instance. I have known many cases coming very nearly under the same category. If a man can afford to buy and run a car, there is no reason why he should not have it, but I am certain that not more than say, 30 per cent., if that, are owned by those who can really afford them. The craze for new cars is not only acting detrimentally on general business but is also affecting the motor-car trade itself. People are ’ not now content to have their old car repaired and put into proper running order. No, they must have a new one, the latest model, and the consequence is that garages are overflowing with second-hand cars, while the motor mechanics who should be repairing them are standing idle and the wages they should be earning going to the U.S.A., who won’t admit any of our goods except under a heavy Customs tariff. It would be a good thing if the importation of cars were absolutely prohibited for a year or more, or failing that a 100 per cent, duty should be imposed on them.—l am, etc., I. CANT A. FORD. New Plymouth, April 13, 1928.