T HE a.g.m. and an extraor inary general meeting of the
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Public ervice Transport Association were held on June 16. The vice-chairman, Mr. R. Stuart Pilcher, C.B.E., who was chairman of the meetings, said that the membership had continued to expand. new members having come from all three chief classes, i.e., company operators, municipal operators and manufacttirers. This fact took on additional significance in view of the proposals, which were later discussed at the extraordinary general meeting of the Association, that the Association should. be merged • with the Omnibus Owners' Association in a new body, to be known as the Public Transport Association Incorporated. [Reference to this contemplated merger has already been made in this journal.—ED.]
He pointed out that in previous years. the chairman of the Council had referred to the many occasions on which their Association, the Omnibus Owners' Association, and the Municipal Passenger Transport Association had taken . joint action. As a result, it was apparent that the first two had interests which were largely identical, and the Councils believe. that a merger of them will lead not only to greater efficiency in the work performed, but will give
the industry a much more effective and authoritative medium by which. its views can be brought before Government Departments and other. bodies. He said that it was appropriate to
• emphasize that the constitution, which provides that membership shall be open to the various sections of the passenger road-transport industry, and which has proved so valuable in past years, is one of the fundamental characteristics of the proposed new Association.
He then reviewed the main activities of he Association, which have been directed almost entirely to matters concerning the efficient participation of the industry in the war effort.
He added that the solicitors acting for the two bodies had advised that the most effective way of bringing about a fusion would be for each to be wound up, and for a new Association to be formed to take over, continue and extend the work which at present is being done separately. Consequently. the two sub-committees appointed to deal with the matter drew up memorandum and articles, taking from the constitution of both existing bodies the most desirable features, and the Council submitted the proposals to members with a strong recommendation for their acceptance.