Service is vital

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 33

Service is vital

Even in the early days of New Zealand motoring, garage proprietors were not slow to realise that service was paramount Horseless carriage owners wanted to get out on the roads, such as they were, and did not want to wait about, as their automobiles languished awaiting service. It was this realisation that culminated in a group of garage proprietors getting together in Feilding in May 1917, to form the Motor Trade Association. In that way the foundations of the industry were laid and a code of ethics was hammered out 70 years ago. In most respects what the Feilding group agreed upon still pertains today. The M.T.A. was originally formed to give strength to those within the industry and since the association was formed in Feilding, its members

have met annually to iron out the problems created by outside influences and to keep themselves abreast of the developments in the automotive world. This year, they will join with the Motor Vehicle Dealers’ Institute in Christchurch for the 1987 Motor Industry Conference, which will take place between October 11 and 15. Although each organisation will have its own agenda and will meet individually, the conference programme does contain some business of common Interest. For example, a range of displays of interest to all facets of the motor industry, including retail, will be on view at the conference venue, the Christchurch Town Hall, for the duration of the conference. This show will not only be open to members of the M.V.D.I. and M.T.A.,

but also to the general public. Additionally, the M.V.D.I. will conduct a seminar on Monday afternoon, the first business day, on the Fair Trading Act, 1986. This seminar will be fronted by Miss Colleen Dewe, the former member of Parliament for the Lyttelton electorate, a qualified accountant and a member of the Commerce Commission. The following day the M.T.A. will conduct two seminars, one entitled “Motivation — Business Management” and the other, “Don’t overlook the female customer and staff member.” No doubt, there will be other business of common interest, but perhaps for many people attending the conference the main benefits will arise through a deeper appreciation of the work of the institute and association and what each is trying to achieve.