BY GARAGES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 222, 31 August 1936, Page 5

BY GARAGES.

NOT ASSOCIATIONS. Periodical Testing Of All Cars SOUTH TARANAKI OPINION. 1 ftioS'.V '.'.'' ti> IW-itJUOa P'tOT'3 1| .( a;j£ ; ; | , r Appr,o,v[pg, priflcjpitf of subjecting all motor vehicles to two compulsory examinations a year, the Autoniobile Association (South Taranaki) on Friday night recommended that the work should be done by approved garages in preference to autoj mobile associations. j The decision was made as a result of a letter from the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. C. Godfrey, who indicated that the Transport Department was framing regulations whereby it would be necessary for all motor vehicles to be examined twice a year. The association was asked to indicate whether it preferred the work to be done by automobile associations or approved garages. Various mehods for giving effect to the provisions of the regulations were being considered, and it had been suggested that the services of public garages should be enlisted for the purpose, stated the letter. The success of any such scheme appeared to be dependent on the reliability oi the organisation issuing the certificate, and it seemed desirable that certificates issued by approved organisations only should be recognised. Be- I fore the matter was submitted to the Minister of Transport the commissioner asked for assistance in formu- i lating comprehensive proposals. Certificate of Fitness. Each test, it was stated, would embrace an examination of lights, brakes, steering and wheel alignment, windscreen wiper, rear vision mirror, warning device and tyres. A certificate would be issued to the owner, and on the last day of each month a return would be furnished to the Commissioner of Transport. If any approved garage failed to comply with any conditions laid down by the Commissioner of Transport, such official approval might be immediately withdrawn. "I canbnt see the necessity for another tax on the motorist," said Mr. G. H. P. Fitzgerald. "There is already a Highways Board inspector, and there is no need for another inspector." "It is the car that never goes into the garage for servicing that needs the examination," said Mr. J. C. Allen. Mr. Fitzgerald: "We " are careful enough with our own cars, but there are any amount of drivers who are not, and they need supervision. Many Faulty Cars. There were many cars on the road to-day that were in bad condition, either with faulty brakes or tyres, which were useless on, wet roads, said Mr. R. H. Reece, who contended that the scheme was merely a "sjafjety first" campaign. If a motorist, who was involved in an accident, had been issued with a certificate a few days before, the onus was on the garage if the brakes proved faulty. The Transport Department would be very particular about the garages that issued certificates, said the secretary, Mr. G. Laurence, who added that at Nelson 40 cars with faulty brakes had been traced after having been issued with certificates of efficiency. Carried. The point was whether the association should express an opinion whether the work should be done by the association or a garage, said the chairman, Mr. W. 0. "Williams. "I do not think the association should do it," said Mr. G. A. Carter. "It has to be done twice a year and would cost the association £IOOO a year," said Mr. Fitzgerald, who considered that while some associations might do it the South Taranaki Association had not the necessary staff. Mr. Allen: "For the safety of the road this is going to hit the motorist outside the association and those who go along in cranky old cars are the ones who will suffer. The man who has his car serviced regularly has no need to worry." ; The resolution was carried unaui- j mously. I