CAR OWNERSHIP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 November 1938, Page 5

CAR OWNERSHIP

NEW HIGH LEVEL REACHED IN CANADA. GOOD MOTORING ROADS OTTAWA, Canada. With one motor vehicle to every 8.4 persons in 1937, Canaoa reached a new high level in automobile ownership. This places the Dominion in fourth position with the United States leading at four persons to every mo'or vehicle, and New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands tied at seven persons per vehicle. Australia follows Canada with nine persons to every vehicle. . Sales of new automobiles in Canada n 1937, including a few imported nodels but mostly of domestic manufacture, numbered 161,389 vehicles,. a new high record. Taking into consideration the new cars placed on the road and subtracting the obsolete cars, numbering 82,088, which have been withdrawn from use, the total number af Canadian vehicles in use in Canada at the close of 1937 was 1,319,702. The good highways and beautiful scenery, the hospitality of the people and the excellent hotels and other accommodation in Canada all attract motor tourists from the adjoining United States by the thousands throughout the year. According to official registrations, there were 1,383,130 cars entered on a 60-day permit, more than equivalent to the total number of vehicles owned in Canada. In addition, 3,127,352 cars were admitted into the country on a 48-hour permit and 1358 on a six-month permit. Of those entering on a 60-day permit. 1,382,366 were from the United States. 275 came from Hawaii. 126 from Mexico 64 from Alaska and 41 from New Foundland.

Surfaced highways in Canada at the beginning of 1937 amounted to 311.198 miles and unsurfaced roads to 99,350 mile's, making a total of 410.448 miles exclusive of streets in cities, towns and villages. With such good roads, motoring in Canada is a popular pastime.