MOTOR MECHANICS’ TEST

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 28 August 1933, Page 7

MOTOR MECHANICS’ TEST

EXAMINATION SCHEME REPLY TO DEPUTATION (By Telegraph—Presa Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 28. Mr F. McKeen, M.P., who introduced a. recent deputation to the Labour Minister, the Hon. A. Hamilton, from tlie Motor Trade Union protesting against conditions under which examinations for motor mechanics are conducted by the Motor Trade Association, has received the following letter from the Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cob'be: “My colleague, the Hon. Minister for Labour, has passed on to me the representations made by a deputation from the Motor Trade Union on July 27. L have had careful inquiries made into the subject matter discussed, with particular reference to the suggestion that the Motor Trade Association had committed a false pretence in accepting examination and certificate fees from members of the union introduced by you. I find that your conclusions have been drawn somewhat prematurely and that the Motor Trade Association h even now organising a scheme for an improvement of the standard of trade. This should bo for the mutual benefit of motor vehicle owners and garage proprietors and those employed in garages. “Briefly the idea is to induce motor mechanics to qualify to pass an efficionov test. Garages employing certain quotas of daily qualified men ancl whose silo)) 1 equipment is up to* a certain .standard will be certificated. Motor Unions will be advised as to "aragos that are certificated and it is contemplated that tlieir guaranteed efficiency will command preference of support. Competition will ultimately require all garages to employ certificated men and thereby bring about a. higher wage scale to be paid. “I have papers and! blank certificates relating to the whole plan of the scheme submitted to me and I think the idea, is a commendable one, but it is still’ in an embryonic stage and it is too early yet to pass judgment upon its manner of working out m practice.”