Express Carriers Busy Year
Page 22
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FROM the National Conference of Express 'Carriers comes an advance report on the year's work, which' was presented at the a,.g.m.. held on July 22.
Many express carriers have interworking arrangements, or those for sharing terminal-facilities. These can, withhadvantage, be greatly extended, the aim being eventually to provide a network of services throughout the country. It is hoped that the time will come when consignments may he handed in at the office of any carrier for delivery anywhere in Great Britain.
Some of the best work of the Conference for the carrying industry is the encouragement given to the adoption of standard practices, those so , far agreed to being for conditions of carriage, transhipment sheet, contract of employment, dishrepancy note, rules on c.o.d.s and " to pays." These conditions have been fully examined in the light of those issued by the Road and Rail Conference and the M. of W.T., whilst the S.J.C. is shortly to Undertake the task of reviewing them with a view to co-ordinating the sets and making a recommendation to the industry generally. •
Attention has also been given to the liability of the carrier. The limit of 2200 per ton has received general approval, but there is difference of opinion as to whether a " smalls carrier should accept liability up to
210 for consignments under 1 cwt. irrespectivt of the weight, or whether the liability' should be strictly pro rata however small the weight. It is generally agreed that the carrier should accept the fire risk. .
The machinery set up to co-operate with traders and exchange views on matters of ,mutual interest has been much welcomed, and it is hoped that more extensive use will be made of it.
The question of thefts from vehicles has been considered in conjunction with other bodies, and suggestions have been put forward with a view to effecting reductions. Some of these
are: heavier penalties, greater publicity, more intensive police measures, adequate sealing of containers, less prominent indication of contents, an d acceptance of goods by responsible . persons during the lunch hour, The executive council has reached the conclusion that, notwithstanding the difficulties which arise,' a useful parpose would be served if area committees proceeded with the task of scheduling rates, in the first instance, up to 3 cwt. It points out that 'road rates must be determined solely by reference to road-transport factors and be, so' far' as possible, related to operating costs, with due regard to those charged by competitive forms of transport: