The C.M.U.A. Luncheon
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WE always look upon the annual luncheon of the Commercial Motor Users Association as one of the most interesting functions of the year, and that held on Wednesday last did. not disappoint us in this respect.
It was under the chairmanship of the President, ,Major-General S. S. Long, C.B., M.Inst.T., and the guests of honour included Sir Herbert Samuel, G.C.B., G.B.E., Home Secretary ; Mr. P. 'J. Pybus, C.B.E., Minister of Transport; the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London; Sir Arthur Griffith-Bosca wen, J.P., M.A.; Earl Howe ; Sir Henry Jackson ; Mr. Frank Pick.; and Major-General Evan Gibb, D. of S. and T. There were nearly 400 present.
After the loyal toast, the first speaker was Mr. P. J. Pybus, who proposed the toast "The Association." He expressed himself as delighted at the frank interchange of opinions between the Ministry of Transport and the Association, from which nothing but good could result. He referred to the request for a reduction in the number of speed limits for commercial vehicles, with which he was prepared to agree, and he would submit for the approval of Parliament a revised and simplified schedule, but he would not recommend any increase in the maximum speeds, as the average of 20 fatal accidents per day was already too high. He appealed to owners and users of vehicles to arrange their schedules so that drivers will be under no necessity to travel too fast. He also wished to seek the co-operation of members regarding the observance of the law in respect of the loading of vehicles, as far too many are being overladen. As regards the licensing of publicservice vehicles, with increasing experience on the part of the Commissioners and operators, it will be found possible to modify existing procedure, so that whilst securing the necessary degree of control, it will leave operators free to develop their services to the benefit of the public. The statement is one of importance.
Eis further remarks are dealt with In a leading article.
The reply to the toast was made by the President of the C.M.U.A., MajorGeneral S. S. Long. He asked for fair play for that British industry as represented by road transport, which fertilizes the whole industrial fabric of the nation.
Referring to the railway memorandum, he submitted that not only is the claim of the railway companies in respect of their losses not substantiated by figures, but it is exaggerated.
In dealing with the taxation of road vehicles, he said that there is no parallel to such penal taxation in industry. He mentioned as an example that the cotton textile trade of Lancashire is taxed to the extent of 12s. per ton of cotton goods, where road motors are employed for transport from the imported raw material to the export of the finished article.
The toast of "His Majesty's Ministers" was proposed by Mr. C. le hr. Gosselin, immediate Past-President of the C.M.TJ.A., and responded to by Sir Herbert Samuel.
Seen at the Luncheon.
On the next page is a group of personalities at the luncheon as seen by the well-known caricaturist, Mr. Fred May.