AUGUST 30, 1928.
THURSDAY,
TO MANDALAY.
TOURING CAR MAKES THE TRIP.
GRUELLING JOURNEY.
"
"SAFEGUARDING.”
EXAMPLE OF MOTOR
INDUSTRY.
[By W. R. Morris, Governing
•Director of Morris Motors.J
that owing to the developments of road transport the motor car industry was of its very nature a rapidly expanding business, and that the McKenna Duties have played no part in promoting its prosperity: In order to answer this contention, it is only neces- sary to examine the situation which arose consequent upon the repeal of the McKenna Duties by Mr. Snowden in 1924.
IMPORT FIGURES. The statistics in regard to im-
THE CHINA MAIL,
war level In addition, the pre- sent-day purchaser of a motor- car is receiving a great deal more for his money owing to modern increases in accessories and equipment. In the case of Morris Motors (1926) Ltd. prices have fallen since the re-imposition of the duties in 1925 by no less than 22 por: cent.
by a proportionate reduction in the price of foreign cars.. Facts, however, show that in the major ity of cases prices remained un- changed. In some cases prices were alightly increased, while in a comparatively small proportion there was a reduction of prices
the amount of the duty. More In 1924 the number of (comover, the re-imposition of the pieta) cars imported duties was followed in many 13,707.
cases by reductions in price.
Was
Though "The Road to Manda-
There is a strange, irony in the
THE REAL TRUTH. lay," immortalised by Kipling's fact that a system of protective
There is, however, another lay" immortalised by Kipling's duties which has been of great
As will be remembered, the an-argument. If it be true that the ballad, is non-existent as far as benefit to certain industries in
have been nouncement of the repeal was consumer pays for the tax, the should the motorist is concerned, word Britain
Since made at the end of April, 1924, removal of the McKenna duties in has just been received by the named after a Liberal. Studebaker Corporation that the duties were first imposed Mr. while the duties were actually re-1924 ought to have been followed stock Erskine Six tourer recently McKenna has migrated from the moved. as from Aug. 1 in that made its own road on a gruelling political world, and his present year. In the following Budget trip from Rangoon to Mandalay, political views are an unknown the duties were re-imposed by Churchill, with India and not only succeeded in quantity; but the fact remains Mr. Winston making the trip, but completed it that he was one of the leaders of effect as from July 1, 1925. in the record breaking time of 48 the Liberal party when the policy hours.
was first adopted.
The irony of the situation ports provide a striking commenwhich had no precise relation to There are literally no roads between Rangoon and Mandalay
grows even greater when one tary. -a distance of approximately 886
observes that one of the most of the miles. But C. E. Perry, a Ran- prominent opponents goon motorist, decided that the McKenna Dutles and the safe- trip could be made. With a no-guarding of industries policy at tive guide and another companion, the present time is Mr. Lloyd he set forth from Rangoon George, who was an important equipped with emergency rond member of the Government which making tools, and supremely con- introduced the former, and was fident of the power and endur- actually Prime Minister at the nnee of the Erskine,
time when the latter first saw The trip was a cross country the light of day. run in every sense of the word. The stark realities of war play Occasionally there were narrow havoc with academic theories. cart tracks to follow, but more It was the war that brought into often the Erskine blazed its own prominence the problem of the trail through the jungle. For key industries, the neglect of five hours, at one stage of the which, owing to a blind adherence trip, the ear plonghed through to Free Trade principles, caused soft paddy fields under a tropical the country, needless suffering sun that tested to the limit the and waste. It was the war which even Free Traders power and cooling of the motor... convinced
In other places the caravan made that circumstances may arise, slow progress through deep sand. such as the need for protecting There were streams to ford, with the exchange, which may neces- water well up over the running, sitate some modification of their boards.
hard and fast theories.
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
WHAT THE STUDEBAKERS ARE DOING.
war
In 1925 Imports leapt up to the abnormal figure of 32,852. In 1926 they dropped again to 12.015.
The picture becomes even more striking if one divides these years into periods of six months.
During the first six months of 1924, when the duties were still in operation, the imports were 6,033.
In the second six months after the duties had been re- moved imports rose to 7,674.
In the first six months of. 1925, while the duties were still off, the figure rose to 27,708.
But in the second six months
PRICE DECLINES.
The real truth of the matter is that with a flourishing industry in Britain the for- eign competitor is not in a position to diotate to motor users in this country in the matter of price. He is com- pelled to adapt himself to the- price conditions which prevail in the British motor industry, and it is largely on this account that there have been several in- stances of foreign firms set- ting up factories in Britain for the production of motor- cars and motor tyres, thus giving additional employment to British workmen.'
diminish
To anyone who, is, prepared to of that year, after the re-investigate impartially the de- imposition of the duties, the velopment of the motor Industry figure fell to 5,144. The suggestion in the face of the figures must inevitably de One of the most trying sections! Unfortunately, however, the such figures that the McKenna monstrate the fact that the re-
intrepid lessons of the of the trip took the
are Duties have no influence upon the suit of the duties has been to
foster production, to motorists through a region of apt .to be quickly for British motor industry is a sheer elephant grass, where progress gotten, and thus it is that absurdity. But if these statistics imports, and to swell the volume of exports without imposing ad- was made at the rate of a mile in we are faced with the spectacle of were not sufficient to prove the ditional burdens upon the motor four hours. This gave way to Mr. Lloyd George being compelled point, I could fortify the argu- usor. I have little doubt that a thorn covered open country, by the position which he occupies ment by my own experiences. On similar case could be established which could be traversed at better, as Leader of the Liberal party to April 1, 1924, the number of men
in regard to many other indus- Morris Motors speed, though its roughness was be-faithless to his own god-child. employed by
tries which have benefitted by the a severe tax on the sturdiness of!
BENEFITS.
(1926) Ltd. was 5,200. As soon axles, frame, and body construc-
Facts are, however, more in-as the removal of the McKenna McKenna Duties or the safe tion.
On their arrival in Mandalay structive and more powerful than Duties was notified in Mr. Snow-guarding of industries policy, and Government would do well to ex- the Erskine and its driver were purely academic theories. The den's Budget of that year there it is my firm belief that the welcomed with a demonstration history of the motor industry in was such a falling off in business tend the system to cover any in-1 by members of the National Club, particular provides an illustra-that it was necessary not only to
with severe competition from and the feat praised throughout tion of the great benefits. which stond off about 1,250 men imme-dustry which may be confronted
foreign countries. Burma and India as one of the accrue to industry from the diately, but to put the remainder
A VITAL PROBLEM. most outstanding accomplish-policy which is now being pur- on short time from May until the
sued, perhaps to an insufficient following September.
Probably the most vital" pro- ments in Indian motoring.
extent, by the Conservative
blem to-day is unemployment, party. The abnormally rapid ex- It is, however, a favourite con- and experience of these protec- pansion in that industry is an tention of Free Traders that tive duties bas shown that there undisputed fact,
under a system of Protection, are few more effective remedies In 1922 there were 73,000 even if a particular industry may for promoting employment than cars and vehicles produced in derive some benefit, the consum-import duties of this character. Britain. In 1927 the figer is going to pay for that benefit Until it can be proved by oppon- ure had risen to 209,000. In in an increase of price. Let us ents of the policy that the con- 1928 194,420 persons were em-see what truth there is in such asumer has to pay an undue It is a dull week for Stude-
ployed in the industry. In suggestion in so far as the motor penalty in the shape of increased baker's family of championship 1927 the figure had been in-industry is concerned.
prices, I strongly maintain that These automobiles when at least one creased to 232,860,
In the first place, if we take the British industries ought not to of the quartette does not make totals only show the numbers motor industry as a whole there be allowed to suffer by being or break a record for perform of persons employed directly has been a steady and continuous kept in a state of permanent dis-
by the motor industry itself, fall in price. Statistics have advantage with foreign competi-| or durability.] Usually it is the champion Com- and do not include those em-been prepared based upon the mander or the President Eight ployed by the many other prices of twelve typical models of
trades who are dependent on private cars that do the heroic deeds, but thei
commercial Director and the Erskine Six, un-
the motor industry for the sale vehicles. If the index figure in defeated American stock car of their products.
1914 be taken as 100, in 1922 it champions of their price classes, Few people, I think, appreciate stood at 185. Since then it has frequently contribute to the the number of these dependent fallen rapidly and continuously, "family's" glories and victories. trades, as I find it generally ac-until 1927 it stood at 88.4.
The latest triumph of a Stude-cepted that they consist of the In the case of commercial vehi-question, having regard to the de- baker car is reported from engineering and steel industries cles the index figure has fallenclared policy of foreign countries, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where only. In actual fact, if the manu from 126 in 1922 to 104 in 1927. it is unjust that British industry an Erskine Six has just com- facture of tyres, body work, and This calculation is based on should be made the victim of pleted a remarkable cross-country upholstery is taken into account run. The run was made over 567 as well as the chassis, it will be nominal prices, but if allowance theorists, whose doctrines are to be made for the change in the a large extent based upon an un- miles of unpaved roads between found that there is hardly value of money it will be found duly optimistic view of mankind Buenos Aires, and Mar del Plata. primary industry not represent that current prices of private cars in general and foreign competi- The Erskine Six, strictly stocked.
are 47 per cent. below the pre- tors in particular. and fully equipped, completed the dash in exactly 15 hours-and broke every previous record for cars of similar price.
ance,
THE ERSKINE SIX.
economy
MORRIS SALES.
Four years ago the value of
motor-cars and parts, which were
Britain WAB
The car was driven by Senor exported from Jose Moran. The Erskine's abil-£6,613,566, whereas in 1927 the ity to negotiate at high speed, the value was £10,558,808.
If I
and
tors, many of whom already en- joy the benefit of reduced coats of production and lower burdens in respect of taxation.
Free Trade for all is a glori- ous iden with which nobody would venture to disagree. But as its attainment is obviously out of the
GROWTH OF BRITISH MOTOR PRODUCTION.
rough roads of this part of the may be allowed to take as an in- Below is an interesting table showing the post-war progress of Argentine, attracted considerable stance one of the businesses with the British motor industry. It shows that in both of its branches attention when the morning edi-which I am personally associated, there has been consistent progress. Since 1922, when conditions tions of "La Nacion" and "La namely, Morris Motors (1926) after the armistice became relatively stabilised, exports have been Prensa, Buenos Aires newspapers, Ltd., the sales in 1927 were three moving upwards.
were delivered in Mar del Plata, 9 times na great as the sales in In 1926 there was for the first time a definite balance of exports hours ahead of the regular train, 1929, while the number of men over Imports. This continued in 1927. Whether 1928 will show delivery time.
employed in the company has a similar balance is as yet problematical. Ninety-five per cent. of risen from 5,300 in April, 1924, British motor exports go to the Dominions, and of these about half to 9,872 at the present time.are taken by Australis. For some time, however, the Australian Such figures are sufficient to position has been unfavourable, due mainly to the restriction on show the abnormal rate of expati- credit, and it remains to be seen whether conditions will right them [sion. It may, however, be argued selves before the end of the year.
Private Vehicles. by the unrepentant Free Trader
Production. Experts. 24,000-1,754
1924
1925
Importa,
Commercial Vehicles of all kinds.. Production. Exports. Imports,
4,972
6,000 438
2,688
82,000 50,000.
65,000..
6,718
29,192
:10,000 1,715
16,246
2,962
V 8,273
$8,000
2,441
20,817
24,127
105,000 12,477
68,000 5,007
NEW HUPS. PIONEER BUYER BOOSTS THE CAR.
1919 Nineteen years
ago, at this
800% 3,193 1921 time, Walter C. Zinn, now a San ease with all automobile in those 1920 Francisco business man, was driv-days, and my reason for purchas
19222
2,515 600 15,000 21,000 1,252 5,699 ing a new model Hupmoble. And, ing a Hupmobile was because 1923 believe it or not, all. the boys thought I had a better chance of
21,648 26,000 9,119 5,628 (also the girls) in his home town, getting back without walking
41,887 #121,000 28,233
32,000 5,8087,448 which then happened to be Min-than I had with some other make. 1926 188,000 26,911 16,49141,600 6,4776,401 neapolis, were declaring that his "I made a trip one summer
1927
187,000 28,657 27,219 52,000, 7,189 new car, was the smartest thing with a friend of mine, and to keep 1928 80,000 10,460 11,976 28,000 2,500 2,080 on wheels. And no doubt it was, them getting laughed at, we declares E. W. Milburn, manager covered the hood of the car with a Concerning the big imports figure for private care for 1925, the of the Greer-Robins Company, sign which read, "From Minnes explanation danally accepted is that while the Conservative Govern- Hupmobile distributors in Call polls to Nowhere. This was ment decided to re-impose the Mikenne duties April 1925, the fornia, VA.
done so that we could stop any re-imposition did not actually operate until the cceeding July; Zinn now is the owner of a new where It might strike our fancy, Meanwhile there had been heavy import Hupmobile Six. Zinn, speaking or the car fancy, without let. Commercial vehicles were protected as of his earlier Hupmobile, sald: ting everyone know that our car in this instance no chance was all
remember when I first pur- "did not choose to run kecade duties coming into effect imme chased the old car back in 1909. However, the car proved to been made by the Chancellor
I believe it cost me just $750 be a mighty fine aut f.o.b. Minneapolis, and at the it gave me years time I purchased it I was not so vice before I sold certain as to just how far it running strong and would be possible to travel in it surprised if it is run without having to tak chance have been ser on walking back,
model runnin This you understand, was the years.
Fand
his Budget
Approximate figures for five months.only.
wer In general the tables shou
cars in 1927 was nearly
5,480
but
4 1925 1926 1927
|1928
126110261/6161
|1994/19
1905 1906 1907 190
1910 1911
161 1161 2161 2161||
BUICK FOR 1929- WILL HOLD ALL ITS OLD FRIENDS AND IS GOING TO MAKE A HOST OF NEW ONES
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