“SUCH STATEMENTS ARE UNJUST”

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 195, 20 August 1935, Page 8

“SUCH STATEMENTS ARE UNJUST”

Cr. Cameron Replies to Mr Maekie DEFENCE OF CITY INSPECTORS Cr. W. B. Cameron, as chairman of tlic transit committee of the City Council, and Mr. N. H. Maekie, president of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) have edged a little into tho limelight lately over motoring matters in the city and at last evening’s meeting of the council Cr. Cameron had something more to say.

I desire,” ho said, “to reply to some further statements mado by Mr. N. H. Maekie, president of tho Manawatu Automobile Association. Deferring to iny recent references to the want of co-operation on the part of the association’s affairs with tlio council, ho in reply refers tho public to a letter from the council to tho association last October wherein the council congratulated tlio association on its executivo and the manner in which it had at all times co-operated with tlio council. Now Mr. Maekie - forgot to tell the public that tho lack of co-opera-tion wfliich I particularly referred oc eurred in connection with tho regulations resolved upon by tlio council in regard to tho parking of cars in the Square last Christmas and New Year’s Eves. Also, tho request made by' this council to tlio association in a letter asking for co-operation of their officials with our traffic manager. As these matters occurred sinco last October I think it puts rather a different complexion on Mr. Maekie’s reply. In a memorandum from tho association to tho Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce in regard to tho motor regulations some very sweeping statements aro made, and one which particularly referred to Palmerston North calls for somo comment by me. The statement made referred to the organised inspection of brakes and lights and severely criticised tho Palmerston North traffic officials for not having completed the inspections. As tho association had not any information as to the number of vehicles inspected hero I am at a loss to understand how tho association could publicly make such a definite statement that vehicles were not inspected excepting those coming forward voluntarily. Our records show that the test commenced on Monday, September 3 last, and carried on daily until October 31. Excluding Sundays this represents 51 days and during that time 977 vehicles wero examined by our city inspectors, malting a daily averago of 20 vehicles. That the vehicles wero properly examined is evidenced by the fact that a number of thoso producing certificates that tho vehicles complied with the regulations were refused stickers for tho following reasons:— Faulty foot brakes and hand brakes, hand brakes having no ratchet, headlamps loose on brackets. This year to date 37S vehicles havo been examined by our city inspectors. Therefore the number examined during tho past 11 months is close upon 1400. I think theso figures should bo an adequate reply to tho statements made and given such prominence in the daily papers. “Such statements are unjust to our traffic department and wero evidently made by the secretary of tho Automobile Association without his having tho information in his possession to make such sweeping statements justifiable. Of the 977 presenting certificates at our traffic offico and examined hero in 1934, only S2 caiuo bearing the certificate signed by the association’s officer, and of tho 37S this year only 23 boro the certificate signed by tho association officer. It wms reported in the papers that 100 per cent, wero members. Why did not all these members produce their certificates and vehicles at tlio council office for tho sticker? It may be they procured the stickers elsewhere or it may be they aro following tho example given by their president, Mr. Maekie, of running about without a sticker. However, I sincerely hope they havo got their stickers elsewhere as in my opinion their failure to do so would bo a very bad cxamplo for other motorists to follow'.

“So far as wo know there is no law or regulation compelling a motorist to go to tho expense of having either brakes or Ights tested. Many motorists arc wiso to this also, and will not go to the trouble of having the tests made. This council wisely pointed out this weakness to the association some months ago. The two city inspectors liavo spent a lot of time on tho lights and brakes tests alone, and for this the council does not receive one penny remuneration from the Transport Department. It is now suggested that wo place our inspectors on the road to force upon the motorists visiting our city these tests which the law itself does not force upon them. I can hardly think that an association composed largely of business men of this city can wish to impose such restrictions upon motorists visiting this city with

the possibility of driving them away to shop elsewhere. “I desire to state that one or two inspectors are on the road as much as possible. Mr. Smith has control of the municipal buses in addition to the traffic in tho city and a good portion of his time is naturally taken up in his office which has to be open during certain hours in mornings and afternoons to allow him to deal w r ith tho issuing of licenses, etc. He puts in long hours lay and night. Peculiarly, the Automobile Association complained a few months ago about our traffic office not being open ail day and now they -want the inspectors out all day. I sincerely hope that the forthcoming conference will help to clear up some of these matters to the satisfaction of all concerned. "