Is Restriction Worse than Chaos ?
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WHEN you criticize the restrictions on road transport, look back upon the conditions of chaos which prevailed before control was enforced. This was the tenor of the speech by Capt. A. U. M. Hudson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, at the annual dinner of the C.M.U.A. London and Home Counties Division, last week.
Speaking of the beneficial effect of co-operation between the Ministry of Transport and the associations, he referred to the good work which had been done in connection with the Finance Act, 1937. The Commercial Motor Show, he added, testified to the virility of the road-transport industry.
Mr. Frank F. Fowler, chairman, pointed out that, if the Government desired stability in the road-transport industry, operators must be given security of tenure. A speed limit of 30 mph. for all commercial vehicles was another requirement Stressing the need for a higher legal rear-axle weight, Mr. Fowler pointed out that, if a vehicle were loaded to its maximum gross legal weight, the maximum legal back-axle weight must be exceeded.
Earl Howe declared that he could secure a band of volunteers to drive through Central London, observing all the regulations. The result of this demonstration, he said, would be corn plete traffic chaos.
Lives were being sacrificed through the inadequacy of the road system, and everyone was waiting to learn the Minister's attitude towards the Lancashire Motor-road scheme. The railways should, he added, turn uneconomic branch lines into motor roads.
A brilliant speech in the traditional style was delivered by Mr. F. A. Flin Mr. W. A. Winson, president of the Association, was another speaker.
Many men well known to members of the industry attended, including the following: Capt. W. F. Strickland, M.F.: Messrs. W. F. French; W. Wreathall; Gleeson E. Robinson. MC., LL.D.; Sir Arthur S. T. Griffith-Roscavren, J.P.. MA.; Sir Richard A. S. Redmayne, JC,C.B., M.Sc.; Sir Henrv H. Pigeon. C.D. C.B.E.; Mr. W. H. Gaunt.‘ '0.B.E.• Vice-Admiral E. A. Taylor, C.M.G., M.P.; Mesartl. S. N. Horne; ,T. F. E. I've; C. le M Gosselin: .T. H. Turner and F. „T. Speight.