SOUTH CANTERBURY MOTOR TRADE ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17773, 8 October 1927, Page 11

SOUTH CANTERBURY MOTOR TRADE ASSOCIATION.

ORGANISERS Of OLYMPIA. The South Canterbury Motor Trade Association was first formed in 1917. 'The Association was formed under flic auspices of the New Zealand Motor 'Trade Association which had just been organised. The objects of the Association were primarily as follows: — 1. Members qf the Association regard themselves as being engaged in a business in which there is a well-defined obligation to the public and to themselves —giving of true service. 2. Every member-siia’l so shape the conduct of his. business that the sign of membership issued, to him shall attain and'retain a pcmiaiieiit reputation as to the. outward, visible sign denoting “service and a fair deal.” •‘i. Each member of the Association shall carefully comply with al 1 laws, regulations and awards governing his erdiing, and. if any such appear to he uiilaii he should request the Association to endeavour to secure their a'terafion.

4. Members of this Association shall not falsely or maliciously injure directly or indirectly flic business repute, prospects or business of any feilowmember of Ibis Association. ;f. Members of this Association are expected to expose, without any fear or favour, any corrupt, dishonest or unbusimiss’ikt! conduct, or methods ol those engaged in the motor trade, and i- the dutv of members to notify the Association of the existence of trade condif ions which are or seem to be undesirable.

G. Evorv member of the Association shall loyally support all public officials and others in charge of regulations for “safety” in the rightful performance of their respective duties. 7., No member of flic Association, oven if so instructed by a customer, shall engage in or countenance any practice contrary 1 o the principles of “Safctv First—- and Always.” 8. Memb-rs of this Association shall in each business transaction endeavour to put these principles into operation, and to give Service —Safe, Real and Lasting Service. The Association has had its ups and downs, but of late years the members have conic more and more to rca’ise the advantages of co-operation. It is their aim and object to give service to their clients, and in order to make motoring as popular as possible with the public, to keep down the cost. The New Zealand Motor Trade Association has a. membership of over 1000 members in New Zealand. Annual Conventions are held each year, when, in conjunction with the wholesalers, a'l classes of subjects arc discussed and dealt with.

The Convention was hold )n Timnru in 1920 and it was the first occasion on which ladies were invited to attend. The success of this was so great, ladies arc now a- prominent section of the visitors and enter heartily into the spirit of tlio procedure. The Association under takes, when necessary, to arbitrate between Garage Proprietor and client, and by this nmans, many eases, where disputes with regard to prices have arisen, have been settled ammab’y to the satisfaction of both parties. The local association is a very thriving one for a district of the size of Timarn. hut as its membership is limited, it has taken some enterprise and daring to organise and run a Show of the magnatmle of the present Olympia. The visitors last year wore . loud in their praise of the manner in which . tlm Show was conducted, and if perhaps we cannot show as many cars as in Christchurch or the oilier centres, our display' is a very' creditable one.