WHEELS of INDUSTRY
Page 34
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
LICENSING OF DRIVERS FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES.
The Minister of Transport has decided to bring the requirements of Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, into force on April 1--a suggestive date.
This provides that no one, unless licensed to drive all types of singlealeck. public-service vehicle, may drive a heavy goods vehicle after the expiry of any ordinary driving licence held by him and current at the date when the Section comes into force, unless lie possesses a licence from the authority of the traffic area in which he resides.
An applicant must, unless he can, under the Act, claim the licence as a right, satisfy the authority that he is a fit person to be licensed, and for that purpose he may be required: (1) to show that he has knowledge of the provisions of the Highway Code; (2) to
• declare in writing whether he be suffering from any disease or physical disability likely to interfere with his efficiency as a driver of a heavy goods vehicle; (3) to submit to a practical test of his ability to drive such a vehicle.
Railway Wins Another Appeal.
The Appeal Tribunal, last week, upheld the appeal of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co, against the decision of the North-Western Licensing. Authority to grant an A licence to Mr. C. W. Inman, of Morecambe.
It was submitted, on behalf of Mr. Inman, that he had produced evidence that firms were willing to employ him. The L.M.S. contended that the tonnage previously carried by Mr. Inman must have been carried by other operators during the period in which he had ceased to operate as a haulier.
Allowing the appeal, Mr. Rowarid Harker, K.C., chairman, said that the respondent went out of business of his own volition and there was no justification for the granting of a licence 2i years later.
Menai Bridge Tolls Redtited.
The Minister of Transport has decided to reduce by 50 per cent. the Menai Bridge tolls for all vehicles except motorcycles, as from April 1 next. In the case of motorcycles the toil was reduced by 3d. on April 1, 1934.
A reduction of 50 per cent. will also he made in the price of quarterly season tickets. The new charges will be as follow :—
DA I LY TOLLS. s.
Races and coaches Motorcars, lorries, vans, etc.... .. Motorcyofee
Taxicabs
Vehicles used for .agricultural pnrposes, whether mechanically propelled or horse-drawn ... ... 0 3
6 3 QUARTERLY SEASON TICKETS.
Motorcars. etc. Motorcycles
Report of the Berlin Show.
The next issue of this. journal will contain an eye-witness's report on the commercial-vehicle section of the Berlin International Motor Show, together with illustrations of the most interesting exhibits.
NEW PRIVATE BILL LEGISLATION BEFORE PARLIAMENT.
Many proposals affecting motor Users and the industry are made in the Private Bills and Provisional Orders, . over 100 being promoted in the present Parliamentary Session by local authorities and. companies. All these have been examined by the Motor Legislation Committee on behalf of its constituent bodies.
In a large number amendments are . being obtained by negotiation; in others petitions against them have been deposited, and the issues will be argued before Parliamentary Committees in London, or Commissioners in Scotland.
,The subjects include ribbon development, bridge tolls, control of parking places and of petrol-filling stations, etc.
Glasgow Corporation again raises the important issue of the right of a municipal body to engage in the manufacture of motor vehicles, and the corporation seeks power to build bus bodies.
Hoyiake Urban District Council proposes to prohibit parking in streets to • be selected at its discretion, This will create an undesirable precedent for other localities, and a new burden on motorists. It is therefore made the subject of. a petition deposited in Parliament by the A.A. and R.A.C.