A MOTOR COMBINE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10060, 4 June 1910, Page 4

A MOTOR COMBINE.

It was indicated recently that a gigantic motor trade combine was in process-of formation at Home, 5 having as its objects be stifling.of competition Jn prices and the abolition of all ~discjuut3 to ordinary purchasers of motor-cars and motor accessories of every description. Details of the scheme show that the movement has been excellently planned, and promises to accomplish the ' intentions of its promoters. Not only had motor-car manufacturing firms joined the combine, but several wellknown motor cycle and motor waggon concerns had also come in, and capital to the extent of £15,000,000 wds affected. The Motor Trades \ssociation (for that is the nama by the combination) is hedged about with rules and by-laws of the most stringent character, chiefly aimed at the practice of giving secret commissions and (from the manufacturer's point of view) illegitimate discounts.; 1 In order to com- s pel ail representatives of the trade to come in, members of the Association are forbidden to handle the goods ,of non-associated firms ori\ penalty of expulsion. Whether this form of "freezing out" will be acceptable to those preferring to conduct their business in their own way; ■ remains to be seen. In any ca'se, the ; stand-and-deliver attitudej'has never ; been relished by British traders, and it is just possible that in the present instance some may ignore the prospective advantage of combination in order to vindicate their traditional independence. Indeed, at the time the mail left several large dealers were preparing to fight the scheme tooth and nail on 'the ground that it would foster commercial immorality. Still, at the same time, there is a good deal to be said for/those ■ who are at the head of the movement. It is explained on their behalf that there is no intention to advance the price of motors to bona fide buyers. War is declared only upon the blackmailing of the bogus agent and the aristocratic tbut. These intervene between buyer and seller, and demand huge commissions, the result being, generally, that the buyer has to pay a long price for his whistle. Most of the touts are in high social positions, and some of them even keep offices from which they make their forays. The modus operandi is to write to a manufacturer, stating that they have a client anxious to purchase a car, and enquiring what proportion of the outlay they could have for themselves. If the figure quoted is not high enough, they try firm after firm until one is found *that will concede the terms required. It is stated that in order to allow for the exorbitant demands of touting gents, all motor cars in England are listed greatly above their market prices. The turn over in the Home trade is stated at about £6,000,000 annually, and of that-five per cent., or £300,000, is said to go in illegitimate commis-j s : ons.' '.•'.'. J