What the Associations
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Are Doing
AFFILIATION OF ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH ORGANIZATIONS? We understand, on good authority, that an important affiliation has been projected, and is on the verge of completion, between A.R.O. and the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors Association, of Glasgow. Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director of A.R.O., informed us that the suggested affiliation provides for the closest possible working agreement between the two bodies, as well as combined political action.
As its name implies, almost the entire membership of the S.C.H.C.A. is comprised of A and B licensees, and its activities cover the whole of Scotland.
It is further learned that A.R.O. will not now, as at one time seemed probable, establish separate machinery in Scotland, but will work through its allied association.
Perhaps the most important feature of this proposed affiliation, however, lies in the fact that Scotland will, in future, send representatives to the newly constituted wages board, as laid down in the recent Baillie Report, and the liaison of A.R.O., with the Scottish Association, will enable the employees of both England and Scotland to pursue a common policy.
Attaining the Dignity of the Professions.
The solicitor to the Yorkshire Area of A.R.O., Mr. Stanley E. Pitts, whose appointment was announced in our columns recently, is to visit various parts of the Yorkshire Traffic Area for the purpose of addressing A.R.O. meetings.
In addresses which he delivered at A.R.O. meetings in Leeds, on September 1, and Doncaster, on September 2, Mr. Pitts remarked that when an operator joined an association, his action was tantamount to a declaration that he was going to play the game by other operators, and do his best to fulfil the requirements of the law.
A.R.O. would do everything in its power to raise the standard of the roadtransport industry, and that should be the aim of every member. It was not a matter of conflict between operators and the authorities. The latter had the law behind them, and operators must do everything they could to assist in the carrying out of the law.
Suggesting that the road-transport industry should have a level of dignity equivalent to that, say, of the professions, Mr. Pitts remarked that, by putting its house in order, the industry would be able to command more attention from the Governmeent authorities.
Roads—Ancient and Modern. The latest booklet to be published by the British Road Federation deals, appropriately, with our• out-of-date road system. Some items, taken at random, tell us that the Great North Road, for instance, can carry only a single line of traffic each way for 818 nearly two-thirds of its total length, and that the London-Birmingham Road, which is 110 miles long, has no fewer than 23 types of surface.
Particularly interesting are the costs figures for trunk road construction. These are based oil an expenditure of £50,000 per mile, and it is shown that, for a total suns of £105,400,000, the trunk roads of which we have so often dreamed could become an accomplished fact. It is rightly pointed out that good roads are essential to national defence, particularly in view of the fact that our defence forces are becoming highly mechanized.
The booklet can be obtained on application to British Road Federation, 120, Pall Mall, London, S.W.I.
Public Ownership of Transport Urged.
The annual conference of the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association was held at Dunfermline on September 4, with Mr. E. D. Hammett, Rutherglen, presiding over an attendance of about 50 delegates, representing 11,000 members.
Submitting his annual report, Mr. Robert Taylor, the general secretary, said that the total increase in the membership of the Association, since the beginning of January this year, was 1,948. On the financial side the Association had finished the year with a surplus of £3,398.
The conference expressed disapproval of the committee set up by the Ministries of Labour and Transport, in 1936, for the purpose of regulating wages and conditions. The delegates unanimously agreed that Scotland should be reSponsible for the initiation and negotiation of wages and conditions affecting Scottish workers, without reference to a body sitting in London. The delegates further agreed that nothing short of a rate-fixing tribunal for the industry in Scotland would eliminate unfair competition.
A resolution was carried that steps be taken immediately, in the interests of the community, to organize all forms of transport under public ownership. Other resolutions urged the need for a comprehensive scheme of social insurance promoted and administered by the State, stricter supervision by the police of log books kept by commercial-vehicle drivers, and the introduction of a 40-hour working week.
Next year's conference will be held at Stirling. NEW CONTRACTS MAY AFFECr MILK HAULIERS.
It is possible that hauliers engaged in the carriage of milk may find a considerable diversion of supplies taking place in the next contract period, which begins on October 1 next. This diversion, we understand, is part of a big scheme to increase the consumption of liquid milk, but, nevertheless, it may seriously affect some hauliers whose main business lies with the carriage of this commodity.
A.R.O. has made arrangements with its area secretaries to afford assistance to its members during this transition period, with the primary idea of securing for them a gallonage of milk at least equal to that which they have previously carried.
Members of A.R.O., who are in any difficulty over their milk contract for the forthcoming period, should apply immediately to their area secretaries for assistance, whilst cases which cannot be settled locally will be handled by Association headquarters should its help be required.
It is understood that representatives of the West Cornwall Sub-area A.R.O. are meeting representatives of the Milk Marketing Board at Camborne to-day (Friday).
Adverse Effect of Increase in C-licence Vehicles.
It is announced that Mr. Roger Sewill and Major Eric Long have accepted the 'invitation of the Plymouth Sub-area of A.R.O. to visit the city in October and November respectively. The honorary secretary, Mr. R. W. Fennamore, also reports, that the committee hope to receive a visit from S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs -expert, in February next.
In a communication to the Sub-area, headquarters stated that a firm of petrol-pump makers, which, together with petrol, oil and tyre concerns, has been approached with a request to quote prices for goods delivered, instead of at railhead, is investigating the question of transport.
The superintendent of the Great Western Docks, Plymouth, has communicated with the area secretary to the effect that an inquiry will be made into the matter of obstruction caused by mail coaches in the docks', this feature having been the subject of a complaint by the committee. Some concern is expressed at the increase in the number of C-licence vehicles. It is pointed out that in consequence of restriction of hauliers by the Road and Rail Traffic Act, C-licensees have multiplied to such an extent that the prosperity of the haulage industry is being adversely affected.
A.R.O. Visit to Ford Works.
On Wednesday last, the president, chairman and members of the National Council of A.R.O. paid a visit to the Ford works at Dagenham. On returning to town all the party agreed that it had been a most instructive day. P.O. AUTHORITIES APPROACH A.R.O.
In connection with the increased transport demands of the Post Office over the Christmas period, A.R.O. has been approached by the London postal authorities. It is understood that the Association is taking the necessary action to secure this transport, and members interested in the supply of vans for this work should apply to their appropriate area secretary.
This applies not only to members in the Metropolitan Area, but to SouthEastern, Eastern and Southern Areas.
Sand and Ballast Warning.
The South-Eastern Area of A.R.O. has issued a warning to its members in connection with the proposed sand and ballast regulations, the complete context of which is as follows :— It should be clearly understood that only loads that are struck level will be legal if the sand or ballast is being carried in connection with, or by virtue of, a sale or purchase of the material. Thus, where at the present time a vehicle can carry a paving load only if it be heaped-up, the same vehicle, when carrying a load that has been struck level, will not be a paying proposition unless the user has gone to the expense of reconstructing, or altering, the body. To avoid this, when ordering, or taking delivery, of new vehicles between now and the time when the proposed sand and ballast regulations come into force, members should insist, that so far as possible, the vehicle complies with the regulations, and, in addition, should be of such a capacity as to carry a paying load level.
Road Transport Buikiing Industry.
Speaking at a meeting of the London and Home Counties Division of the C.M.II.A., held at Barking on Monday last, Mr. J. L. Kinder referred to the fact that, had it not been for the unique facilities afforded by road transport, hundreds of important factories, such as those on Western Avenue, the Great West Road, Kingston By-pass, Sidcup By-pass, and numerous others, would probably never have been built.
It has been decided to form a branch of the London and Home Counties Division in Barking. B.R.F. IMPROVED-ROADS CAMPAIGN.
In connection with its three-year campaign for road development, B.R.F. has arranged two further meetings, which will be addressed by Federation speakers. The first will be held at the Chatham Rotary Club on September 30, when Mr. J. L. Kinder, national organizer of the
will speak on roads, and the second at the Bristol Chamber of Commerce on October 15. The speaker on the latter occasion will be Mr. R. Gresham Cooke, secretary of the B.R.F.
A.R.O. Meetings in South Wales.
To inaugurate the winter session, the South Wales Area of A.R.O. has organized a series of public meetings, at which speakers-will be Mr. Roger W. Sewill, national director, and Major Eric Long, political adviser. The first meeting will be held at the Queen's Hotel, Newport, at 7.30 p.m. on September 13, and will be followed by one at the Mackworth Hotel, Swansea, on September 15, and another at the Old Arcade Hotel, Cardiff, on September 16.