MOTOR VEHICLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 14

MOTOR VEHICLES

WARRANTS OF FITNESS

HALF-YEARLY INSPECTION

APPROVED GARAGES

The half-yearly inspection of motor vehicles, which is compulsory under regulations issued last week, may be undertaken by city authorities and by garages which are members of the 'New Zealand Garage Proprietors' Association, in addition to the Transport Department. At the end of two years it is anticipated that the Transport Department and the city authorities alone will be able to undertake the whole of the work, and the garages will not ■be used. , In a statement today the Minister .of Transport (the. Hon. R. Semple) set ■ out the procedure to be adopted. • "When I first investigated the road accident problem," said Mr. Semple, "I very soon realised the importance of good brakes and correctly-adjusted lights. In fact it was apparent that the first step necessary to get safer roads was to ensure that all vehicles using these roads were at least in a reasonable condition of fitness. ' "I therefore decided," continued the Minister, "that some comprehensive .form of inspection was necessary at least once every half-year. I feel that the inspection work should be carried out by the Transport Department and the city authorities, the Department taking care of the rural areas and the, smaller boroughs. However, as the inspection of over 200,000 vehicles every six months will require a considerable staff and a large' amount of \ equipment, other arrangements had to be made in the meantime. "I therefore propose that the city authorities, where they have the staff and equipment and desire to undertake the work, will be authorised by me to , issue warrants of fitness. ' "In addition, for a period of two years, I propose to approve garages ■for the purpose of the regulation. At ,the end of that time it is anticipated that the Transport Department and city ' authorities will be in a position to un- ( ;dertake the whole of the work. ' NO EXPLOITATION. "The approved garages will have a > most important and responsible job, and it is essential that the motorist be protected from anything in the way of • exploitation. In these circumstances, ' the ' Government desires to deal with ■ the garages through some organisation '• of standing in an endeavour to ensure as nearly as possible ■ 100 per cent. ; efficiency. There is only one such organisation in the garage business and that is the New Zealand Garage Proprietors' Association, which is well known and has been in existence for a ; number of years. "I have therefore decided that only ' those garages which are members of ' this association will be considered by ; me for approval for the issuing of war- : rants of fitness. If any complaints ] are made to me by motorists concern- : ing- any approved garage, the matter ■ will be at once taken up with the Gar- ( age Proprietors'' Association as weil ' •as by the Transport Department, and .it it. is,found that the complaints are ' justified the necessary disciplinary i action will be taken. As I said be- ' fore, it is vital that the motorist be '■ assured as far as possible of impartial ] and reasonable .treatment from all firms < or authorities who have power,to issue ' the warrants." • The' Minister pointed out that the .regulations made provision for inspection by a Transport Department officer .at a charge of ss, and if any motorist considered he was being exploited ■by any approved garage, arrangements could be made through the Department for an inspection of the vehicle. "However," continued the Minister, "I do not anticipate much trouble in .this direction, as the Garage Proprietors' Association have assured me of the full support and co-operation j .of all their members. COST OF INSPECTION. 1 "I propose to approve without in- ( spection all those 'garages which have , been classified and registered A grade < by the association, while those garages ) not classified as A grade will be in- ; spected by an officer of the Transport ' Department. t "Motorists will know that all A grad:- ) garages or those displaying an official ' approval sign are empowered to issue warrants of fitness and it has been arranged that the cost for an inspection ' will not exceed 2s 6d. This fee is de- J finitely not a revenue-producing fee. 3 The amount received will be only sufficient to cover the cost of the inspections: in fact, the Government may be \ a little out of pocket in the end. My i object is purely to ensure that every i vehicle on the road is roadworthy t and not a menace to life and limb be- .< cause of mechanical defects. I "It is hoped that the scheme will work smoothly and efficiently, and i i appeal again to the motorists to co- • operate with the Government in a pro- ] posal which I consider so essential in • the interests of safety on the road. ,