GARAGE SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 123, 27 May 1933, Page 17

GARAGE SERVICE

TRADE WAKING UP

CERTIFICATED MECHANICS

The official organ of the motor trade in Keiv Zealand contains this month a report showing the progress made in regard to the classification of repair garages and the examining of mechanics i in connection with the effort jmt forward by the trade to improve its service to the motor-owning public. For general information part of the article is' republished here with the object of showing what is in view. No doubt the time will come when every garage will be able- to secure the services of at least one fully-qualified mechanic, trained through proper apprenticeship to the motor enginetring business. Pending that time the step taken by the trade is certainly one which makes abig stride in this most desirable direction. "More than twelve months ago," says the journal, _ "the New Zealand Motor Trade Association undertook a project which had been under consideration for a long time. From 1925 to 1030 the- sale of new motor vehicles reached large figures, and the competition bctwetn motor traders to establish records for sales was the dominating

factor in the motor trade.. The evils of such a policy were sooii apparent, the principal of which were the fictitious values placed on used motor vehicles as trade-ins, and the neglect of maintenance and servicing side of the business. No particular body or party can be held responsible for this state of affairs, as all sections of the business were- responsible in a greater or lesser degree. Moreover, the position is not peculiar to New Zealand, but is general in all parts of the world. Far-seeing members of the trade saw the danger, but were- powerless to prevent it,'and now economic forces are operating which are rectifying the matter in a most unpleasant way. "Heavy taxation and the high rate of exchange have so increased the cost of new motor vehicles, and the purchasing power of the public is so reduced that the sale of'new motor vehicles has shrunk to a very low figure, and the motor trade can no longer exist on the sale of motor vehicles. In this way economic pressure .has forced the motor trado to meet a changed position, and the importance of the servicing and maintenance is generally recognised. "The time is considered opportune to try and put this side of the business on a better footing, and on this particular work the New Zealand Motor Trade Association has been engaged during- the past twelve months. ■ The plan which has been adopted has two main features, viz., the classifying of employers with the necessary plant and facilities, and the separation of efficient from inefficient mechanics. "When completed, the plan will ensure that in every town of any importance there will be one or a number of garages pledged to turn out firstclass work by. first-class mechanics. "To any garage classed as 'A grade,' motor owners will be able to entrust the most expensive car with the knowledge that it will be. handled by experienced mechanics, and should the motor owner at any time feel himself aggrieved, he has a court of appeal without_ the necessity of going to law, at all times an expensive and unsatisfactory proceeding. "An immense amount of work and organisation has been required to bring about the desired change, but this has made steady progress during the past twelve months, and plans arc now nearing completion. "The.first step was to secure the cooperation of both employers and workers, and many meetings and a good deal'of propaganda was necessary before this was,done. It is satisfactory to state that between 400 and 000----nio- mechanics have mode applica-1 tinii to be examined, and paid the necessary fees. More than half of these have already been examined, and the first series of examinations will be completed by the end of Juno. "Over 200 garage proprietors have accepted the plan, and ,a large number of these garages have already beeu inspected, and the balance wiil be completed by the time the examination of motor mechanics is finished. ■ It is assured, therefore, that the new plan will . he put into practical operation within Hie next three months." Elsewhere, the journal makes refer- i nnco to the examination of mechanics. : They are divided into three classes, i "■hose who pass with distinction, those : who pjiss with credit (theso two are the i "lionours" class), and those who pass, i That tho system is not merely a form- ■ nlity so far as mechanics are con- i "pined may bn gathered from the fact ' Hint out of 1300 so far examined r>o I fniled to satisfy the examiners, a mat- \ (or of about 22 per cent. In classed I "ai'jifjrs the certificated mechanic will i In1 more highly paid than the uncCl'ti- < licalcd nieju