Complete User Change 'Prevents Grant
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
AFIER taking over the shares of Bailey's (Widnes), Ltd:, .in 1953 and signing renewal application fotms for an A licence, the new directors deliberately embarked on a complete change of normal user.
This allegation was made by Mr. A. W. Balne, objecting for the British Transport -Commission, when the A licence renewal application came before the acting North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. C. Duncan; at Liverpool on Tuesday. • The A licence specified "mainly foodstuffs, egg boxes, castings and steel wire within 25 miles." •
Mr. A. G. Bingham, a director of Bailey's, said traffic for Turners Asbestos, Ltd., from Widnes all over the country had grown frorn a very small proportion of their work to about 80 per cent. of the total business, • There had been a corresponding decrease in foodstuffs formerly -carried, he explained. When the' 25-mile restrietions were lifted, at the time of denationalization, the company thought they, were free to operate over long distance.
They now wanted a normal user which
would include asbestos.: goods', Lak eashire, Yorkshire, Eastern' CoUnties, Midlands and elsewhere as required.
Adjourning the hearing, Mr. Duncan said there appeared to be a complete change of operations and with the information before him he could not possibly make the grant.
It was an old-established company, however, and he was loath to refuse the ,application. He hoped that much more detailed information of destinations and tonnages, plus proof of need would be available for the next sitting.
"HAULIERS RATTED ON INDUSTRY "—ALLEGATION AN allegation that some leading hauliers "ratted on the industry at the time of nationalization was made last week by Maj. G. Rolf, public relations officer to the Dudley sub-area of the Road Haulage Association.
Maj. Rolf made this remark when proposing Mr. Joseph Walsh as chairman, at the sub-area's annual meeting. He explained that the people to whom he was referring had secured the best jobs under nationalization.
"In view of the Socialist threat to renationalize. the haulage industry," said Maj. Rolf, "it is now more than ever necessary to appoint leaders of the highestintegrity." Mr. Walsh was elected as chairman for the fifth consecutive year.
Mr. Joseph Male, who was elected vice-chairman, said he would fight nationalization with the same vigour as he did last time and hoped that members of the industry would stand together and fight the issue if and when it faced the industry. Mr. Male reported that "a considerable fighting fund " was availabte to counter rertationalization threats.