ACCREDITED GARAGES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18536, 5 April 1930, Page 15 (Supplement)

ACCREDITED GARAGES

MOTOR ASSOCIATION’S MOVE The Auckland Automobile Association’s proposal to issue certificates to approved motor mechanics (says an exchange), has drawn criticism from both garage proprietors and members of the Amalgamated Engineers’ Union. The Automobile Association cannot be accused of either revolutionary action or ill-considered intrusion on the trade. To the first charge it can be answered that motor organisations in many parts of the world have official garage lists. In New South Wales the system is extensive, and the “authorised garage” sign is displayed as conspicuously as the name of the proprietor. It is the hall-mark of the repair shop which gives creditable service. There is considerable competition among garages to qualify for the endorsement. It is simply a check on the roadside tinkerer, and it is difficult to see why reputable garages in New Zealand should object to the innovation.

To criticism on the grounds of hasty action, the Auckland Automobile Association has the answer that six members of its council are either in the motor business or are retired motor traders. There has been no lack of expert advice on the proposal. The Association employs a full-time engineer, who has had experience in one of the oldest car and aero engine factories in England. He has dealt with hundreds of applications for advice regarding the repair of members’cars and it is no secret that workmanship of greatly varied character comes under his notice.

The Association finds itself continually in the position of having to answer questions regarding the service offered by different garages. Motor organisations making any pretence of offering touring service have had to list recommended hotels. The listing of garages is equally important if technical service is taken up. The trade view is that the matter should be left to the motor business, as the industry is working on its own scheme for the certification of mechanics.

Following is the official statement of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association:—

‘The A.A.A. is an excellent organisation, which has done splendid work on behalf of its members and motorists generally. The success which has been achieved has doubtless encouraged them to enlarge their sphere of action. This proposal is doubtless made in good faith in the expectation of helping members, but we think a little deeper consideration would have shown that they were getting outside the legitimate sphere of action for an automobile association, and undertaking more than they can accomplish. “As a matter of fact, this question is a live one with the associations of both employers and workers, who are desirours of increasing the efficiency of the workers, and the service given to motorists. There is in operation to-day a scheme which has for its ultimate object the certification and registration of motor mechanics.

“The scheme referred to is that of supplementing the training received by apprentices in the garages by special theoretical and practical instruction at the various technical colleges. The plan provides for the examination and certification of apprentices who undergo this training, and is the commencement of the plan which, it is hoped, will in time provide a supply of efficient certificated mechanics.

"At present over 350 apprentices are undergoing this special instruction. It is possible that such a scheme is too slow for the A.A.A., who think to take a short cut by examining and certificating present-day mechanics. The trade organisation held similar views at the outset, and actually provided a large sum of money to be used for this purpose.

“When steps were taken to put the plan into operation, it was found impracticable, and after a lot of time and thought had been given to the matter, it was decided that the only way to achieve success was to commence with the boys, and make them the nucleus of the efficient mechanics of the future.

“We feel confident, that the plan will in the long run provide a full supply of efficient mechanics, and when this is accomplished, it will be possible to have legislation passed making registration compulsory. The A.A.A. will be well advised to leave this matter to the trade itself, and to confine Its aci tivities to its legitimate sphere.”