From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Article from 'The Motor' discussing a proposed rubber tax in France and the selected Grand Prix course.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 2\6\ B002_X 140 141 157-page171 | |
| Date | 25th February 1908 | |
| 25th February, 1908. 53 THE MOTOR RUBBER TAX IN FRANCE. The French Tyre and Motor Industries up in Arms Against It—Course for the Grand Prix Selected—Worm Drive: An Expert’s Opinion. (By OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.) THE French tyre and motor industries have risen up in arms against a proposed law now before Parliament imposing a tax of practically 2d. per lb. on raw rubber imported from elsewhere than French colonies. Those responsible for the proposal are obviously desirous of encouraging the struggling French colonies in Africa, and believe that this can be done without handicapping the industries making use of rubber. The tyre and motor manufacturers, however, look upon the matter in an entirely different light, and are so convinced of the disastrous effects it will have on French trade that they are preparing an energetic attack upon the movement. Behind them they have the mass of motorists, who fail to see how any rubber tax, even if only designed to benefit the colonies, can fail to increase the price of tyres. The manufacturers maintain that the tax, small as it appears at first sight, will make it almost impossible for them to compete with foreign firms either at home or abroad. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} André Michelin, who is doubtless better qualified than anybody to deal with this question, points out that of the 331,267 cwt. of raw rubber imported into France last year only 8170 cwt. came from French colonies. Not only is the French supply inferior in quantity, but it is decidedly lower in quality than the rubber obtained from British and Dutch colonies. The best Para gives, after purification, about 82 per cent. and Fernando rubber 75 per cent., while the commoner qualities from the French colonies in Africa only yield 50 to 60 per cent. after purification. Thus, instead of the tax being 2d. per lb., it would be about double this figure for all the lower grades of rubber. If the project becomes law, the French makers, declares M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Michelin, will be obliged to erect factories abroad for the purification of the raw material, in order to compete with British and Dutch rubber, which is already imported in a purified condition. Further, to compete successfully with foreign tyre manufacturers, wages will have to be reduced, a result which is evidently not foreseen by the authors of the proposed law. From the standpoint of the private motorist it is to be hoped that the proposed tax will not become law, for the various car, licence, petrol and oil taxes imposed directly or indirectly place a heavier burden on the motorist in France than in any other country. From the standpoint of the British business man the situation is different, for a tax on his raw material will make it more difficult for the French manufacturer to compete advantageously on the British market. Between the united industries interested in rubber, and the authors of the proposed tax, the fight is likely to be severe, and it would be a bold man who would predict the winner. The Grand Prix Course Selected. Dieppe has been definitely selected as the scene of the French Grand Prix race. There was really very little doubt on the matter, for there were only two competitors for the honour : Dieppe and Anjou. As the seaside town could hold up the attraction of a subsidy of £4,000, and its rival could guarantee only a much smaller sum, a choice was readily made. Undoubtedly, too, it is the best possible choice, for the race, being a Franco-British event, the course is most conveniently situated for the two most interested parties. Dieppe is only 100 miles from Paris, the centre of the French motor industry, and less than four hours from the English coast; thus the largest possible attendance should be secured. It has been decided that the race shall be held during the last week in June; the exact date can only be fixed after consultation with the local authorities, so as to interfere as little as possible with the markets and fairs in Dieppe and the neighbourhood. As a week-end is preferred for the two-day race, the probabilities are that the event will be fixed for the last Saturday and Sunday in the month. So far as is known at present, the 1908 course will be used again, with the grand stands in the same position. The sporting commission has already secured the necessary land for the stands, and has also rented the land opposite in order to prevent speculators obstructing. EXTRACT FROM A NOVEL. "Ralph felt the wheel and away goes his pursuers the sleigh." Was this another case of one story driving another? | ||