The Colonial Markets.
Page 14
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The strides made by the commercial vehicle at home have been so rapid that manufacturers have been compelled to devote their attentions mainly to the home demand. It must not be forgotten, however, that there is a vast field waiting to he opened up in the Colonies. We were forcibly reminded of this fact during an interesting interview we had recently with Mr. A. Roslington, an old member of the Yorkshire Automobile Club, who has just returned from a motor tour through Australia in the interests of the Belsize Company. Mr. Roslington tells us that the motorcar is used very little as a pleasure vehicle in Australia. Cars are owned by farmers on up-country stations, and are used very -extensively for purely business purposes. Carting is still done by wagons, but our informant was sure that the time was ripe for the motor wagon. The well-to-do farmers are already owners of cars, and are fully alive to the value of the motor wagon, which would be a real boon to them. it is important to give them the right thing at first. To use the Colonies a.s a dumping ground is to put hack the chance of business for years, if not for ever, because, once bitten, the colonial is for ever shy.
Another important point for the manufacturer to consider is that the colonial prefers vehicles of British manufacture, once his confidence in them is established. The opening-up of trade in commercial motors in Australia and other Colonies is well worth consideration and careful study. Mr. Rasling-ton also informed us that there is a big scope for commercial motor vehicles in Ceylon. What is required is a van that will carry two to three tons of tea from the plantations up-country to the coast. A van body that could be locked up and barred would appeal to the planters, because the pilfering that goes on by the natives from the ordinary bullock wagons is so great that, if prevented, it would pay for the upkeep of the motor wagon. At present, the journey takes six days by bullock wagon. They consider it would be covered in one day by motor wagon.