REMIT WITHDRAWN

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1935, Page 7

REMIT WITHDRAWN

BRAKES AND HEADLIGHTS TEST. CERTIFICATES FROM GARAGES. A remit that the issue of certificates for brakes and lights should be from automobile associations and local bodies only was discussed by the North Islartd Motor Union• conference, at New Plymouth yesterday, but was withdrawn after it had been pointed out that the motor traders of the country would be alienated by the passing of such a resolution. The, remit was from the Wellington association, and it was alleged that certificates had been issued by some, garages when the brakes were really inefficient. The Wellington Association was or the opinion that certificates for brakes and headlights after testing should be confined to associations and local bodies, said Mr. E. A. Batt. It was felt that trading concerns should not be given the right to issue certificates, for traders might possibly give certificates when there was not sufficient reason. Mr. E. Palliser, Wellington, gave a p 'rsonal experience at Wellington recently, when a motorist bumped into his car. A constable checked the brakes of the offender’s car for which a certificate had ben given by a garage the day before, and finding them most inefficient, had brought the man to court, a conviction being recorded. In law, said Mr. N. R. Bain, there was not, so far as he knew, any provision for the protection of a man whose car was equipped with inefficient brakes, but who had been given a certificate by any organisation. The whole thing was rather dangerous and automobile associations were saddling themselves with a difficult scheme. . t It was unfair to blame the majority of garage proprietors for the issue of unwarranted certificates by a poor garage, said Mr. G. W. Hutchison (Auckland). He suggested that the whole thing should be dropped.

The Wellington association was apprehensive that traders would issue a certificate where an unbiassed authority would not, said Mr. Batt. The certificate was being given an unwarranted value, said Mr. W. R. Johnston (South Island Motor Union). The benefits of the certificate, though it was not of permanent value, was that motorists were not hindered continually, said Mr. A. Grayson (Auckland). It would be unwise, said the president, Mr. W. A. O’Callaghan, to alienate the traders throughout the country. They were, after all, the people who repaired the brakes. The remit was then withdrawn and the subject dropped.