Legislation on licensing
Page 58
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March 24, /933 Editor: G. Mackenzie Junner THE Bill dealing with the licensing and regulation of goods vehicles is now in preparation, and many of its terms have already been settled. According to an assurance given by the Government, this Bill must be introduced before Easter, so that its exact terms may be published in a matter of days.
It may be considered to be compounded partly from the recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Royal Commission on Transport from those presented in the Report of the Road and Rail Conference. It involves the principle that both the haulier and the ancillary user will be required to obtain Dperating licences. This will be a comparatively simple matter .n the case of the latter. He will 3e required to agree to a clause :oncerning fair wages and proper conditions of service, and to give an undertaking that his vehicles will be kept in good ccndition. The haulier, on the other hand, in addition, can be refused a licence if his service be considered as against the public interest. Therein lies the most doubtful point — objections may be lodged against the issue of his licence. .
There will be no question of limiting the use of hauliers' vehicles to certain routes, and the licensing will be carried out by the Area Traffic Commissioners, as is done in the case of public service vehicles We suggest that, where they are in the position to do so, the associations concerned should carry out for their members the work of obtaining the licences required, which would form a very valuable branch of their activities.
Membership would thus constitute an enormous advantage to the operator, and relieve him of much of the worry and expense which would otherwise fall to his lot.
The prospect is an extremely interesting one, and indicates how important it is that all hauliers of standing and repute should join forces.