Advice for the Asking
Page 22
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EVER since the goods road transport licensing machinery was first set in motion, the Appeal Tribunal, the Licensing Authorities, the specialized Press and association officials have tried to explain to applicants for A and B licences the evidence necessary to the success of their cases. The task has been difficult and disheartening, and 14 years after the passing of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, applicants still appear in court without a vestige of proof to justify the grant of a licence.
Newcomers to the industry are not the sole offenders in this respect, although they provide the most patent examples of inexperience. It is greatly to the credit of the Licensing Authorities that they listen with such patience and understanding to applicants who, through ignorance, present applications that cannot be supported even by hope.
Avoid Disappointment and Time Loss How to bring to the attention of applicants the information that they require is a serious problem. There are in the haulage industry men of long experience who are still unaware of "Applications and Decisions," the official publications of the Licensing Authorities, in which details of applications, hearings and decisions are announced. Insufficient use is made by applicants of the services of the staffs of the Licensing Authorities in obtaining the advice that would avoid the disappointment and the wastage of valuable time.
Paper rationing restricts the circulation of the specialized Press and partly closes another source of information to many of those who require it. The advisory services of "The Commercial Motor" are, however, available to all who seek them, and are freely given.
Notices exhibited outside police stations. municipal buildings and other public places might assist in the education of hauliers and ease the burden placed on the Licensing Authorities, but would not provide an ideal means to the desired end. A short documentary film would probably be the most effective method of enlightenment, but, in these straitened times, the cost of production would probably be regarded as disproportionate to the importance of the subject.
ignorance of Licensing Procedure Reports that reach "The Commercial Motor every week show, however, that there is widespread ignorance of the proper method of presenting a licence application. Even applicants who are legally represented continue to put in letters as evidence, although the Appeal Tribunal has pointed out on a number of occasions that letters. because they cannot be submitted to crossexamination, are not valid as proof of need.
One of the requirements of the industry is a panel of lawyers who are experienced in licensing procedure. With the co-operation of the legal profession, "The Commercial Motor" is willing to compile such a list and pass on to operators the name of any lawyer who has the specialized knowledge which is neeeded before it is possible to conduct proceedings before the Licensing Authorities and the Appeal Tribunal,