MOTOR VEHICLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1940, Page 5

MOTOR VEHICLES

SUBSTANTIAL CUT MADE IN IMPORTS SUPPLIES ONLY FROM BRITAIN. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CURRENT ’ HALF-YEAR. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Government lias decided to grant licences for the importation of unassem-'. bled motor-vehicles during the first half of the current, year up to 35 per cent of the value of imports of unassembled vehicles and 25 per cent of the value of complete vehicles during the corresponding period of 1938. This decision has been conveyed to the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation. Wellington, by the Minister of Customs. Mr Nash, who wrote: — “I am writing to acknowledge your letter of December 18, and to advise you that the Government has decided to grant licences for the importation of unassembled motor vehicles during the third licencing period (JanuaryJune. 1940) up to 35 per cent of the value of imports of unassembled vehicles and 25 per cent of the value of complete vehicles during the corresponding period of 1938. CONSERVING EXCHANGE. “The licences, subject to the issue of remittance authorities, will cover imports which are landed in the Dominion not later than August 31, 1940. “Owing, to the imperative need of conserving overseas funds other than sterling, the licences will be for the importation of vehicles from the United Kingdom only. “To ensure availability of spare parts for cars at present in use it has been decided to grant licences on .application for importation from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or foreign countries up to the value of imports from such sources during the first half of 1938. This means that the reduction of 40 per cent previously announced is now abolished. “I would also take the opportunity of advising you that, in view of conditions obtaining at the present time, it has been decided to postpone till August 31 next the operation of the determinations in respect of bumper bars, undercarriage springs for commercial vehicles, and unassembled doors for all-steel cabs. Arrangements are also being made to amend the Tariff Preference Regulations in order that certain parts produced in New Zealand may be substituted for parts imported with vehicles from British sources without prejudicing the qualifications of such vehicles for tariff preference. LOWER PETROL IMPORTS. "Associated with the reduction in the percentage of cars to be imported is the necessity to reduce the petrol imports. firstly to ensure full availability of supplies for war purposes to the United Kingdom and France, and secondly to reduce the demand for dollar and other funds so as to conserve these funds to enable Britain and France to obtain the maximum quantity of aeroplanes, ammunition, etc., to prosecute the war. “Applications for import licences will be attended to immediately on receipt by the respective Collectors of Customs throughout the Dominion.” Imports for the first six months of the year, it is estimated, will total nearly £1,000.000. With vehicles averaging £350 each, the number of importations would be limited to about 3000. Unassembled motor imports for the first six months of 1938 totalled £2.187,657. and assembled £896,439. Of the full amount, £3,084,096, Britain claimed the major share of £1,782.367. On this basis the future imports will amount to £989,789, so that in spite of the war as an additional deterrent, the blow to Britain will not be as serious as some were disposed to expect. NO INCREASE IN PRICES. Stocks of the larger type of American and Canadian cars are already at a premium, due to previous, restrictions, but within a j short time of the operations of the complete ban new models will be unavailable. Prices cannot be increased, being fixed as from September 1, but dealers anticipate that the' remaining cars will be promptly sold. Sales before Christmas were well maintained, and inquiries since have been encouraging, though lack of supplies will halt this position. “A WAR ON” REDUCTION IN IMPORTS INEVITABLE. VIEWS OF MASTERTON RETAILERS. Masterton garage proprietors who were approached this morning did not appear to be greatly perturbed about the latest restrictions on the importation of cars. They recognised that a war was on, and apart from any restrictions on the part, of New Zealand, realised that a substantial reduction in imports of cars was inevitable on account of the war. It. was logical, of course, to expect some reduction of business owing to the restricted imports, though it was pointed out that at present there were ample supplies of good used ears available. New cars were in short- supply, though so far no makes, not even American, had been eliminated from the New Zealand market. There was not the same readiness on. the part of dealers to accept ears on a trade-in basis in part payment of new vehicles. Both new and used cars were still being sold.