The cost of brake linings

Sir,

Four years ago I obtained brake linings for my (English) car from a well known firm in England. Actually I had similar quotes from two well known English makers. The set of linings cost £8, plus freight, plus duty, so that landed cost was approx £11.

Now I again require brake linings, and found that one of the above mentioned makers have agents in Cape Town. I got linings from them for 72s. (£3 12. od.) They are marked with the (famous) maker’s name and “Made in Britain,” and of course customs duty and freight had already been paid on them. One would think that these linings might well sell in England for about £3.

Why this amazing difference in price? Does some price ring operate in England which cannot extend to S. Africa because of foreign competition?

It seems that it would pay people in England to re-import British made linings from S. Africa. Am I right in thinking there is no purchase tax on this product ?

L.A. Heatlie.

Cape Town.