ions are Doing
Page 35
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
S.T.R. Attiacts Record Crowds
OUR figure of 150 for the audience at the lecture giru. at Newcastle last week by. S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, is stated to have been an underestimation; it was much in excess of that figure. Moreover, it has hitherto been difficult to persuade Newcastle hauliers to attend meetings at all.
• At Stockton-on-Tees, on March 11, an attendance of 70 persons exceeded expectations. Mr. Walton, of that town, occupied the chair, and was supported by Mr. Harrison, of Middlesbrough, and Mr. Lincoln, of -Ferry Hill, Durham. Much of the discussion which followed $.T.R.'s address turned on the comparative costs, and corresponding profitable rates, of vehicles of various capacities employed upon similar classes of work. There is apparently some difference of opinion in the district as to the possibility of fixing tonnage rates independently of the weight carried per load.
At Carlisle, on March 12, Mr. R. G. Hunter, secretary of the passenger section of A.R.O., Northern area, occupied the chair. There was an audience of 50 persons, which was considered to be exceptional.
The subject which seems to be uppermost in the minds of hauliers in this district is that of unfair competition by the railways and the fact that there appears to be no check upon their ratecutting. Furniture removing was cited as an outstanding example.
At York, where S.T.R. paid a return visit, last Saturday, the first joint meeting of A,R.O., Y.S.C.O.A., and the C.M.U.A. was held. Mr. Dawson, of Scarborough, was in the chair.
• A novel point was raised concerning hire-purchase in its relation to haulage rates. It was pointed out by S.T.R. that the interest on hire-purchase loans was a charge against the operator's business; in other words, an establishment cost, and not a vehicle-operating cost. The fact is, nevertheless, that a man who acquires his vehicles in that way is at greater expense than he who pays cash for his rolling stock. It was suggested that rates should be stabilized at a figure to cover the higher cost.
A.R.O. REPRESENTS 44 OUT OF 56 APPLICANTS
Following the merging of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Associa. tion with the Yorkshire area of A.R.O., the machinery of the enlarged organization is now in active operation. An A.R.O. representative appeared in 44 out of the 56 cases heard by the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, at York, on Tuesday. On Monday night, A.R.O. officials from the Yorkshire headquarters at Leeds were present at three sub-area meetings held simultaneously at places as far apart as Doncaster, York and Halifax.
M. of T. to Attend C.M.U.A. Luncheon.
It is announced that the Minister of Transport, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, will be the principal guest at the annual luncheon of the C.M.U.A., on March 25, at the Savoy Hotel, London. s No fewer than 50 Members of Parliament, representing both Houses, are expected to be present.
New C.M.U.A. Branch at West Bromwich.
At a meeting, last week, it was unanimously decided to form a subarea of the C.M.U.A. at West Bromwich, working under the West Midland Division. A further meeting is ,shortly to be held to elect a committee.
Yorkshire Deputation to M.P.s.
On Tuesday, Mr. F. G. Bristow, general secretary of the C.M.U.A., led a deputation of members of the NorthEastern Division to wait upon Members of Parliament for that area.
Mr. J, Wallace, divisional chairman, put forward the general views of the members on the difficulties facing the road-transport industry, whilst Mr. James France spoke on the subject of rear-axle weights. Mr. R. E. Clough dealt with speed limits and Mr. L. J. Mathers pressed the case for reduced taxation.