MACHINERY BILL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 62, 4 November 1931, Page 3

MACHINERY BILL

("Post" Special Commissioner)

READ FIRST TIME REMOVING IRRITATIONS IN - PRESENT INSPECTION ACT PROPER SAFEGUARDS

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill was introduced in the House to-day and was read a first time. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, explained that the Bill exempted farming machinery not of more than six horse power from the provisions of the Inspection of Machinery Act. For some time past, there had been considerable agitation on the part of farmers and farmers' organisations for relief from some of the more annoying inspection provisions which involved heavy expense. The Bill placed on owners and sellers an obligation of seeing that farm machinery was adequately protected before being installed. Machinery could only be sold if provided with proper protection. Good Business Mr. W. Lee Martin (Raglan) : Does it do away with the annual inspection ? The Minister: Yes. "Good business," said Mr. Martin. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) said that surely the Minister would not argue that any machinery capable of developing six horse power should be exempted from provisions which were framed to protect human life. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) asked whether the Bill made any discrimination between the various types of engines. Some en'gines would be managed quite simply, but others were dangerous. Removing Irritations Mr. Martin asked whether it was only proposed to do away with the charge for annual inspection and not to eliminate any of the safeguards for the protection of the public. In reply, the Minister stated that the Bill referred only to farm machinery and was designed to do away with the expense of irritating inspections. There would be further safeguards in that the seller would also be liable in case of accident.