No Need to Prove Inability to Hire
Page 37
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WHEN applying for additional VV vehicles a haulier did not have to prove that he had been unable to hire, the North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. J. R. Lindsay, said on Tuesday.
For Mr.. J. R. Evans, Mobberley, who was applying to add a 3-ton vehicle to his A licence, Mr. J. A. Dunkerley said he acquired his present two vehicles on A licence by a take-over in March, 1956.
The carriage of feeding stuff had increased to such an extent that Mr. Evans, who did not believe in hiring, had either, to put off or refuse much of his work for other customers.
One vehicle was now wholly employed on hauling milk for the Milk Marketing Board. The other had to be worked on double shifts, involving deliveries to farms up to 11 p.m., about which there had been many complaints.
Mr. R. C. Oswald, for the British Transport Commission, submitted that but for Mr. Evans' aversion to hiring the difficulties might not have arisen. There were licences with similar normal users and conditions in the area. The average earnings of £2,400 per year per vehicle were not exceptional.
Mr. Dunkerley replied that £2,400 a year for 3-ton vehicles not engaged on long-distance work was excellent. The applicant had shown that his vehicles were overworked and his customers were in difficulty. The B.T.C. had not attempted to call rebutting evidence.
Mr. Lindsay said he substantially agreed Mr. Dunkerley's submission and the application would he granted, but with building materials deleted from the normal user.
VICTORIA MAY LEVY TAXES
APETITION by a group of hauliers in Victoria, Australia, against a decision of the Australian High Court that Victorian vehicle taxes should be paid by inter-state carriers was dismissed on Tuesday by the judicial committee of the Privy Council
The petitioners contended that a local tax on inter-state traffic contravened the Constitution, which stated that inter-state commerce should he absolutely free.
For the State of Victoria it was held that the imposition of a charge did not deny a right of user. The requirement to contribute towards the upkeep of the roads, which were essential to inter-state trade, left traders free in the terms of the Constitution.
NEW TUNNEL TOLLS?
A NEW scale of tolls has been pro1-1 posed by the Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee for approval by the Government. It is suggested that the charge for goods vehicles not exceeding 1 ton unladen should be Is.: 1-2 tons, 2s.; 2-4 tons, 2s. 6d., and over 4 tons. 5s. Tractors would be charged Is. plus Is. 6d. for a, trailer.