Removers Press Home Office for Action Against C Licensees
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GRAVE concern over "the continued use of some C licence vehicles for the carriage of removals" is expressed in the annual report of the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers.
As reported in The Commercial Motor on January 9, the Association asked the Home Office to enlist the aid of the police to prevent the illegal use of C licence vehicles. The Home Office has replied that, so far as the Home Secretary is aware, the police already deal with matters of this kind which come to their notice. The Association are, however, pursuing the subject and asking the Home Office to receive a deputation.
"In two areas, at least, a special form is being used for reporting to he Licensing Authorities suspected infringements of C licence conditions," says the annual report. "Although prosecutions may not always result, the Association has been assured that the enforcement officers investigate fully any reports they receive from members and, in doubtful cases, warn the C licence holder. It appears that only a radical change in the law relating to C licences will alleviate the present unsatisfactory slate of affairs.
"One suggestion is that a condition should be imposed on all C licences, permitting use for the carriage of the a28 licensee's stock-in-trade only. The Association has kept a close watch on this question and has not hesitated to bring to the notice of the authorities the need for the strongest possible action against offenders."
On the subject of industrial relations, the report states: " Dissatisfaction at the ineffectiveness of the Joint Industrial Council for the industry, the activities of which are largely circumscribed by those of the Road HaulageWages Council, was responsible for the withdrawal, for a second time, of the Association's support.
"In an endeavour to reinstate some form of joint negotiating machinery, the Transport and General Workers' Union offered consultation with the Association, but the executive felt that as no useful purpose would be served by such discussions, no advantage could be taken of the offer."
At the Association's conference at the Park Lane Hotel, London, from May 4-6, the following papers will be read:—" Area and Sub-Area Activities." by C. A. Ball and G. F. Green; "Trade Education—To-day's Opportunities in the Trade," by D. R. Pearce; and "The Troubles and Preoccupations of the Private Owner," by C. H. Batty and D. W. Bishop (May 5). "Side Lines," by Nathan L. Goodman (May 6).