MOTOR VEHICLES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 196, 20 July 1936, Page 2

MOTOR VEHICLES

demand for efficiency. WAR ON “OLD JUNK.” Per Press- Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 18. Owners of motor vehicles which come within the category of “old junk” were given a warning by the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple) to-day that the ancient contraptions which are a menace to life and limb are to be swept off the roads. The Minister said that the Transport Amendment Act, passed this year, gave him power to appoint examiners of motor vehicles, and it was his intention to take action at an early date. A similar law had been passed in England, and as a result 00,000 vehicles had been put off the roads, said the Minister. “Junk,” he added, “is a menace to life and limb, and I’m statisfied that there is need for a general cleaning up in this ■ country. No compensation will be paid to the owners of juk that is put off the roads. A man who owns vehicles that have no right to be on the roads should know that he is taking a risk. These things have been one of the contributing factors in the large number of accidents that have occurred in this country.” The examiners, said the Minister, would pay particular attention to the efficiency of the brakes, lights, and general fitness of the machines. Investigations had shown that inefficient brakes and bad lights had caused a great many accidents in England, and ho was satisfied that the same position existed in New Zealand. A periodical examination would be made, and the examiners would have the right to pull up a vehicle anywhere and require the driver to produce a certificate of efficiency for the machine. The examiners .were now being appointed by the Transport Department.