Cr. Cameron and the M.A.A.

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 197, 22 August 1935, Page 8

Cr. Cameron and the M.A.A.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —At the meeting of the City Council held on Mouday evening Pm. Cr. Cameron is reported to have made a statement in reply to Mr N. H. Mackie, president of the Automobile Association (Matiawatu), and a reply to this will no doubt be made by Mr Mackie. However, in his statement, Cr. Cameron did not confine himself to Mr Mackie’s remarks, but referred to a memorandum which the writer submitted to tho Chamber of Commerce, and I desire to correct a few of the statements made by him.

Firstly, Cr. Cameron suggesls that the memorandum was submitted by the Automobile Association j but this is not so, as it was compiled by tho writer and had nothing whatsoever to do with the association and was not even considered by tho Automobile Association committee. Regarding the organised inspection of brakes, Cr. Cameron stated that Palmerston North traffic officials were severely criticised, but if he refers to the memorandum he wiii find that reference to tho inspection not being completed applied to the whole of tho Dominion. Also, no criticism has been made regarding the action of traffic official's themselves.

It was further pointed out—-and this is whoro Palmerston North was particularly mentioned —that the majority of the vehicles tested wero those belonging to owners who attended the offices voluntarily, while those who paid little or no regard to the regulations were permitted to continue unchecked. From ligures furnished by the Commissioner of Transport, I estimated that practically 70 per cent, of tho vehicles on the road wero never tested, and Cr. Cameron tries to point out that this is not correct, but at the same timequotes figures which prove that my estimate is correct. Ho reports that, at the Inst organised check, the CityCouncil inspectors examined 977 vehicles. On September 30, 1934, there were 33SS vehicles registered at the Palmerston North post office, that should have been tested by the City Couucil, yet ouly 977, or under 29 per cent., were actually tested according to his figures, which leaves 71 per cent untested.

Cr. Cameron also stated that it had been reported that 100 per cent, of the Automobile Association members had their certificates, and as this is the first I have heard of it, I would be pleased to know where he got his information.

The most surprising statement made by Cr. Cameron is to the effect that there is no iaw or regulation compelling a motorist to have his brakes and lights tested, when lie knows, or should know, that this matter is covered iu tho Motor Regulations which contain many clauses governing the equipment on motor vehicles, and the check instituted by the Transport Department was to see that all vehicles complied with the regulations. If there was no such regulation, why did the City Council take part in the inspection? Further, if motorists were to believe his statement that there was no regulation compelling them to put their brakes and lights in order, and were to go to another district and be fined, they would no doubt be rather sore over the matter.

Cr. Cameron also stated that the City Council does not receive any remuneration from the Transport Department, but omitted to mention that the council receives over £7OO annually from drivers’ licenses.

In conclusion, I would remind Cr. Cameron that I fully realise the difficulties and the amount of work involved iu cheeking all vehicles on the road, and for that reason concluded my report to the Chamber of Commerce with a recommendation that would, if adopted, greatly assist tho traffic officials in carrying out a complete test. I am, etc., S. I. McKENZIE. Palmerston North, Aug. 21.