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The New Legislation

14th April 1933, Page 29
14th April 1933
Page 29
Page 29, 14th April 1933 — The New Legislation
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THERE has been a, last-minute rush in putting the finishing touches to the Ministry°of Transport Bill dealing with the licensing and regulation of goods vehicles, the leading contents of which were outlined in our issue dated March 24. , The Minister has been wise in seeking the close collaboration of the chief interests concerned, with the result that there is not likely to be great opposition to the major points upon Which the new legislation i's based, although the industry Is now in a far better position to take up with vigour, and offer a more determined resistance to, anything which is likely to constitute a barrier to the progress of this comparatively young business, The Road Traffic Act, 1930, was, admittedly, very loose in certain of its phraseology, and this has caused a considerable amount of difficulty. It is to be hoped that any ambiguity in the present Bill will be detected during the readings, because once a measure is on the Statute Book it is an extremely difficult matter to secure any amendment.

It would be unwise for the trade to take any hasty step towards approval or condemnation without mature consideration by the associa tions representing both the haulier and the ancillary user. There is no doubt that the influence of the powerful road-transport group, which has been fortified under the chairmanship of Sir John Sandeman Allen, will prove of the greatest assistance in drawing attention to any debatable points. As a result of recent meetings and the presence of numerous Members of Parliament at road-transport functions,, a much better impression of the case for the roads has been gained, and it is being realized to an increasing extent how much depends upon allowing goods transport to remain as untrammelled as is reasonably possible.

It is becoming more generally realized that any'serious restriction upon road haulage would result in further extensive unemployment without any compensating increase in employment on the railway side, higher costs to trades which can ill afford them, and a disturbance of the even flow of merchandise and essential products. This is causing many former advocates of repression to reconsider their views on the .matter.

We hope, in our next issue, to be able to include a critical review of the new Bill studied from the points of view of the various classes of user affected.

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