The C.M.U.A. Report for 1940
Page 17
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AT the outbreak of war, the President of the Commercial Motor Users Association addressed a communication to members emphAizing that the Association would be required to play a leading part in protecting the interests of operators in respect of such vital matters as fuel supplies, alternative fuels, rates of hire, impressment and requisitioning, supplies of controlled materials, organization for emergency purposes, wages and conditions of employment, and legislation affecting the road-transport industry.
Subsequent events have shown that the war-time activities of the C.M.U.A, have nOt only proved valuable to its membership but also to the industry and the'Nation.
Major R. A. B. Smith, MC., M.Inst.T., who occupied the Presidential chair during 1935-36, has been re-elected President; this will make his third year running in that office, and his fourth in all.
At a general meeting on September 24, a resolution was passed to place on record the appreciation of the Association of the services rendered to the road-transport industry in general and to the Association in particular by
Major Smith during his occupancy of the presidential chair.
Other appointments are:—Vice-presidents, Messrs. J. S. Nicholl, C.B.E., and George Munro, C.B.E.; Deputychairman, Mr. C. H. Clague, and Honorary Treasurer, Mr. W. A. A. Winson.
In connection with gas-producer vehicles, the ordinary regulations provide that the driver must stop the engine when the vehicle is stationary other than dtsring a traffic halt. As the result of representation by the C.M.U.A. concerning vehicles utilizing producer gas, an amendment was made to provide that the regulations do pot apply in such a ease,
The Association is interesting itself in the matter of obtaining adequate food for drivers, and is keeping in-close touch with the Road Haulage Central Wages Board, with a view to the --setting up *of catering establishments at key points on trunk roads.
It is also continuing to urge for a satisfactory assurance that operators will, 'not be prejudiced -by having temporarily to sacrifice A and B licences.
Representations have been made to the War Office as the result of corn
paints regarding the delay in payment for vehicles hired on behalf of the War Department.
The C.M.U.A. had a great deal to do with the recent sanction for two masked head lamps to be employed simultaneously.
Many new members were enrolled during the year under review, and during. the past nine months the income has been higher than for the corresponding nine months of 1940—in fact, we are assured that the Association's finances have never been healthier, its activities never more important, and its relations between headquarters and its Divisions and Areas never more friendly.
"According to the income and expenditure account for the year ended December 31, the surplus was £3,375, 'which must be added to the balance of £764 from the previous year; also to -be included are £1,000 ti-ansferred from a loans-repayment fund (no longer required), and £273 from special donations, making a total of £5,412, from which must be deducted £883, loss on sale of investment, and £222, reserve for income tax, leaving a net balance of £4,307.