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S.T.R.'s Lectures " Capture " Yorkshire
THE first of the five lectures which " S.T.R.," The Commercial Motor costs expert, delivered in Yorkshire; this week, was given on Monday at Bradford, under the joint auspices Of the Bradford Chamber of Trade—said to be the largest in the kingdom—and the North-Eastern Division of the C.M.U.A. Mr. J. Wallis, chairman of the division, presided,:The meeting was crowded, fully taxing the accommodation provided; and the interest was obviously extremely keen.
" S.T.R." dealt with the subject of rate-cutting, likening it to the age-old practice of bargaining, There was, however, a difference between the haulage industry and other trades, in that the haulage industry lacked any standard of rates. It was important, he said, to have a standard to serve as a basis for bargaining. The Commercial Motor Tables of Operating Costs were a standard, and could easily be used by any haulier for that purpose.
During a lively discussion, the status of the owner driver was raised. It did not appear, however, that be was really such a problem as many feared. He was just as likely to operate at rates above normal as to cut standard charges. The essential thing was to ensure his co-operation in the fixing of any standard rate.
"The trouble I find with most haulage contractors is that they are short 01 backbone; they can't say .` No,' " remarked Mr, Charles Holdsworth, of Halifax, when he urged operators to refuse to accept haulage work at uneconomic rates.
In his opinion, the railway companies were out for the extermination of 'hauliers, but that extermination could be most quickly brought about by roadtransport operators themselves, through suicidal rate-cutting.
He added: "Many large owners would be very sorry to see the small operator go out of business. It is not good nationally that transport should be monopolized—and, if we are not careful, it will be driving towards that end."
S.T.R. in Halifax To-night.
Yorkshire operators should not miss the opportunity of hearing S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, lecture on costs and their use in assessing fair charges, at Marlborough Hall, Crossley Street, Halifax, at 7 p.m. to-day (Friday). S.T.R. will lecture under the auspices of the C.M.U.A.
S.T.R.'s Lecture at Northampton.
S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, is booked to lecture to the Northampton Sub-area of the East Midland section of A.R.O. at Wellingborough, on Friday, January 17.
MANCHESTER MASS REUNION.
The need for reduced taxation will be the main theme at a mass meeting to be held by the C.M.U.A., at 7.30 p.m., on January 22, at the Memorial Hall, Manchester. All classes of -user are urged to attend. National leaders will speak, including Major R. A. B. Smith (president) and Mr. F. G. Bristow (general secretary). Mr. W. E.Mauve (Manchester area chairman) will preside. Applications for admission tickets can be obtained from Mr. H. H. Lapsley, local secretary, at 28, Queen Street, Manchester.
New Hull Secretary for C.M.U.A.
Mr. A. E. Whiteley has been transferred from the North-Eastern Divisional office of the C.M.U.A. at Leeds, to become secretary of the Hull branch at 8, Albion Street.
Licensing Scheme to be Explained.
The Hanley branch of the C.M.U.A. will meet on January 13 at the Albion Hotel in that town. Mr. S. Preece (organizer) will explain the Association's licensing schemes.
C.M.U.A. Progress at Wrexham.
As the result of a special C.M.U.A. meeting held in Wrexham, on January 1, a number of prominent operators in the locality has joined the Association, including Messrs. W. B. Bell and Sons, Messrs. Leadham and Williams, Messrs. Thomas Bros., Messrs. J. T. Clarke and Sons, and Messrs. Roberts Bros. The next meeting of the branch will take place at the War Memorial Club, Wrexham, on January 15, at 7.30 p.m. Mr. S. Preece will speak on " Organization and the C.M.U.A."
Attorney-General to Attend C.M.U.A. Function.
To develop further the good work done recently by the C.M.U./ in midCheshire, the Crewe branch is to hold a dinner at the Royal Hotel in that town on January 23. Tickets, priced at 3s, 6d. each, can be obtained from the C.M.U.A. district organizer, Mr. Stanley Preece, 28, Queen Street, Manchester. The occasion is of exceptional importance, as the chief speaker is to be Mr. D. Somerville, K.C., AttorneyGeneral, and M.P. for Crewe.
More A.R.O. Meetings Announced.
In addition to the meetings arranged for the early part of the New Year, . and announced in the issue of The Commercial Motor dated December 27, A.R.O. has now fixed several further meetings for the next few weeks.
On January 27Major Eric Long will address members of the Frame sub-area, and on January 16 a meeting will be held at the Market Tavern, Hereford, at 7.30 p.m., when the future organization of the district will form the subject for discussion.
On February 14, Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director of A.R.O., is to attend a meeting of the Devon and Cornwall area committee at the Continental Hotel, Plymouth, at 3 p.m.