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The Scottish Show Dinner

18th November 1932
Page 49
Page 49, 18th November 1932 — The Scottish Show Dinner
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE dinner of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, which was given laet Monday was, as is usual with such events held in Scotland, not only most enjoyable but extremely well organized, something like 400 members and guests being present. In the chair was Mr. James Gibbon, Jour., President of the S.M.T.A.

The first speaker after the loyal toast was Sir William Morris, Bart., who said he spoke as a motor agent, and, as such, wished to emphasize the great importance of giving the best possible service to buyers. The man who has trouble and good service is better pleased than a man who has no trouble at all, and, therefore, does not realize the service available.

He thought that business had already improved a little, but it will take at -least another nine months, he said, to get rid of foreign goods which were dumped here in such quantities before the tariffs came into operation. Next year, he looked to see a great decrease in unemployment.

The chairman, in replying, gave some advice to the manufacturers. This, of course, was particularly concerned with private ears. He recommended manufacturers to get together to arrange sonic better guarantee terms. At present, some were for one year, some for two and others, apparently, were for ever. It was not so bad where the agents were close to the factory, but their distance from all the works cost Scottish agents a tremendous amount of money, in fact, the only people who were dealing with the repair shops today were -those who were getting their repairs under guarantee, and many owners sadly neglected their vehicles. He pleaded strongly for the institution of motor factories in West Scotland.

Sir William Sleigh, DI., LL.D., proposed the toast of "The City of Glasgow," one of the most striking remarks in his speech being that the days of the railways are almost gone.

A reply was made by Mr. Alexander B. Swan, Lord Provost of Glasgow. He stated that he considered that the motor industry was only in the infancy of its success. The time will come when a oar owner will want to change it every year or so. Five or six years ago Glasgow had one car for every 24 persons ; now it has one for every 12. He also put in a strong plea for factories to be opened in the Glasgow district. He said they had the best labour in the country rusting for want of work.

Mr. D. L. Melvin, vice-president of the S.M.T.A., gave the toast of the

S.M.M. and T. and the guests. He made a plea for the much larger representation of the retail trade in the Society.

Mr. L. Walton, president of the S.M.M. and T., replied. He stated that he felt the -need for further aid for the agents, and the Society had recently prepared a list of those agents with whom the manufacturers may deal.

The industry had had super-taxation because of its success, but the h.p. tax had evolved types of car not suitable for export markets.

Referring to the Salter Report, he said that it had given an entirely wrong aspect of the situation. There was an attempt at strangling the industry to bolster up one which was not efficient. If any legislation was based on this report, it would mean ruination to a very large number of agents and manufacturers. If road transport be more efficient than the railways, then the community would demand it:

The opportunity was taken of making a presentation of a canteen of cutlery and a replica of the presidential badge, to Mr. H. L. Richardson, last year's president of the S.M.T.A., this pleasant duty being performed by the chairman, who was afterwards toasted by Mr. J. Robertson.


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